How Aquino’s Lent went

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

PRESIDENT Aquino stayed in Manila during the Lenten holidays, attending to the state’s business as well as taking time for family and personal leisure, according to Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

Coloma released a statement on Saturday night from the President, who talked about how he observed Lent.

Mr. Aquino said he stayed in Manila “monitoring everything,” including following developments in Libya.

Coloma, in a text message Sunday, said the President did not elaborate on the developments in Libya, where there are 3,000 Filipinos who have  been warned by the government about danger in the strife-torn North African country.

But Coloma said the President was “always concerned with the safety and well-being of all Filipinos anywhere in the world, especially in conflict areas.”

“I went to two wakes and will go to a birthday [party] [Sunday],” Mr. Aquino said in his statement.

But Coloma said the Palace had no information about the Mr. Aquino’s visit to the wakes and birthday party because the President did not give details.

Mr. Aquino, a bachelor,  also said he “spent quality time” with his family.

The President said he watched an old film about the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador on Good Friday.

“It reminded me of the Church and its proactive preference for the poor,” the President  said.

Romero was murdered in March 1980 as he celebrated Mass. He was beatified last year in a ceremony led by a Vatican envoy.

In the saint-making process, beatification is the last step to canonization.