Peace, dev’t, good leaders on execs’ prayer list for Pope

MANILA, Philippines–Several current and former top government officials, as well as business executives, asked Pope Francis Sunday to intercede in their behalf with prayers for world peace, the sustained and inclusive economic development of the Philippines, the welfare of Filipino migrant workers, and for the country to be ruled by “God-centered leaders full of mercy and compassion.”

The officials included Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario who, in a text message to the Inquirer, said he would ask the Pontiff to pray for “continued peace in our world.”

He also said he would “humbly endeavor to thank the Holy Father for reinforcing our faith and for embracing our poor.”

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz thanked the Pope for “continuously praying for the Filipino workers, especially our migrants.”

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Hans Leo Cacdac said that with the Pope’s blessing, the government would be “strong and faithful in its efforts to protect the millions of overseas Filipino workers.”

He thanked the Pontiff for “reminding us that God should be at the center of our lives.”

Civil Service Commission Chair Francisco Duque III asked the Pope for “continued blessings and perseverance of our government and Church authorities as channels of God’s love and providence for the Filipino people.”

Aside from asking Pope Francis to take care of himself “because the Catholic world needs his kind of pastoral leadership, Election Commissioner Luie Tito Guia asked him to “bless the Philippines and its people and to make us the beacon of true Christianity not only in Asia but the rest of the world.”

“And for the government, that it use the framework that seeks to alleviate poverty and empower the poor and the marginalized,” Guia said.

Former Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca thanked the Pope for “leaving us with so many powerful memories of how it is to be a real Christian.”

“I pray that after he leaves, the admirable faith of our people in God will be expressed day by day in the way we treat fellow Filipinos,” she said.

The head of the Maritime Industry Authority, Maximo Mejia Jr., asked for the Pope’s blessings “for wisdom for our people to choose future leaders who will continue the pursuit for progress based on peace, clean government and inclusive economic development.”

Former Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon asked the Pontiff to “visit the Philippines a few more times during his incumbency because he has such a positive influence on Filipinos.”

“But it needs to be sustained for it to take root within the hearts of Pinoys,” he said, adding he believed in “his ability to influence people to change for the good.”

Julius Premedeles, chief of the Bureau of Customs collection district in Tacloban City, asked that the Pope pray for a faster rehabilitation of areas ravaged by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Former Education Secretary Jesli Lapus asked the Pope to pray that “this bastion of Christianity in Asia be protected from natural calamities, be united as a people in getting things right, and see the end of our perennial boom-bust economic cycle.”

Lapus also thanked the Pontiff for “blessing the Philippines with his visit which will ensure us invaluable international goodwill.”

For ex-Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, the Pope’s “presence planted trust in my discouraged heart.”

“I will pray that our country will be ruled by God-centered leaders full of mercy and compassion, our government will be filled with men and women of integrity, dedication and patriotism, and the Catholic Church will continue to grow and be the channel for God’s amazing grace,” he said.

Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz asked the Pope: “Pray for us, please. We are becoming more and more poor and miserable because of three causes: A greedy government, as victims of natural disasters and climate change, and for living in a country that is becoming a haven for criminals.”

Elizabeth Pilorin, chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ public information division, asked the Pope to “pray for our leaders to tread the right path and focus on the welfare of our marginalized countrymen.”

For his part, Ramon Gil Macapagal, Unilever vice president for corporate affairs, said “may the good news of the Lord through Pope Francis inspire us in helping make the lives of others better.”

Caesar Wongchuking, whose family owns the cigarette firm Mighty Corp., thanked the Pontiff for “lighting up the faces of our countrymen with smiles and bringing the message of hope, peace and faith.”

“With His Holiness around, let’s pray as one nation,” he added.