Archbishop Cruz to politicians: Respect people’s money

Archbishop Cruz. Photo by Kristine Angeli Sabillo

MANILA, Philippines—Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz on Friday called on government officials to respect the people’s money and be conscientious of what they are doing.

“I hope you (politicians) have mercy on your fellow Filipinos…Respect the people’s fund,” Cruz said at the Million People March on Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

“It is as if they forgot the rule ‘Don’t get what is not yours.’ That’s not difficult to understand,” he said.

“The people have become pitiful. Since birth and until death they are paying taxes…Their money goes to the public fund only to be stolen by others,” he added.

Cruz said understanding the law of not stealing does not mean a person must believe in God.

“It doesn’t even require a religion because it is the law of nature,” Cruz said, adding that people from all walks of lives know that stealing is wrong.

Cruz said the Church has been joining the anti-pork barrel protests because they are immersed in the everyday dealings of the people where they see for themselves the poor conditions of Filipinos.

“My only contention is that if the pork barrel is abolished, not everything is okay.” The same goes of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the equally controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), the archbishop said.

Cruz said it is important for the public officials to regain their conscience and follow the rules against stealing.

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