Erap should run for president again

Twelve-year-old Glyzelle Iris Palomar, a former street child, made a biting commentary about the indifference of the government and the Catholic Church to the plight of street children.

Palomar asked Pope Francis: “Many children are abandoned by their parents. Many of them became victims and bad things have happened to them, like drug addiction and prostitution. Why does God allow this to happen, even if the children are not at fault? Why is it that only a few people help them?”

The Pope could not give the child an answer.

A prelate whose heart is for the poor, Francis was gracious enough not to blame the government and his Church for not attending to the street children.

“Certain realities in life we only see through the eyes that are cleansed with tears. I invite each one here to ask yourselves, ‘Have I learned how to weep, to cry?’” the Pope said.

Let’s ask Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and Catholic Church leaders in the country if they have wept or cried not only for the street children but also for the victims of calamities.

Officials and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) help the unfortunate because it’s their job, not because they feel for them.

When natural calamities strike, Soliman and Church leaders respond out of their bounden duty, not out of compassion for the victims.

Officials and employees of the DSWD help the distressed because they’re paid to do so, not because they feel their pain.

Proof of the indifference of local Church leaders toward street children are the countless children sleeping at the doorsteps of Catholic churches in Metro Manila.

Have you seen priests or bishops playing active part in the relief and rehabilitation of calamity areas?

The Pope should have been told how Tzu Chi Foundation, a Buddhist charitable organization, treats calamity victims with so much compassion.

Tzu Chi followers are the first to arrive at the scenes of disasters, like Tacloban City and Bohol, along with Red Cross volunteers.

Ironically, Tzu Chi has rebuilt some Catholic churches in Bohol destroyed by the big earthquake last year.

Tzu Chi followers are more Christian in their charitable work than many Catholic priests and bishops.

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Now that the Supreme Court has dismissed the disqualification case against Manila Mayor Erap, a heavy monkey on his back, he should consider taking another crack at the presidency.

As we all know, Erap or Joseph Ejercito aka Joseph Estrada, was booted out of Malacañang on plunder charges, but was given complete pardon by his successor, President Gloria.

The people of Manila elected him mayor which, in effect, exonerated him of his crime under the principle of “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

In the 2010 presidential election, Erap placed second to Noynoy Aquino who, many say, was voted into office, because of the death of his mother, former President Cory.

If Tita Cory didn’t die, the high court would have decided on the disqualification case on his second presidency and not on his mayoralty.

Only Erap or Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte can beat popularity survey front-runner Vice President Jojo Binay in the 2016 presidential election.

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Had Erap “behaved” during his term as president, he would have become an excellent chief executive.

Erap had a topnotch Cabinet which only the Marcos Cabinet could have topped.

He was the only president who was able to tame intransigent Moros who do not favor keeping the peace.

And unlike Binay, Erap’s concern for the poor is genuine.