Cebu archbishop visits Gwen for third time

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday called on  people to pray for a “speedy and peaceful resolution” of the political stalemate at the Capitol which has dragged on for almost a month.

The prelate spoke  shortly after visiting suspended Gov. Gwen Garcia at her  Capitol office  where she’s  been holed up for 26 days.

It was Palma’s third visit there to see her  since the standoff started last Dec. 19, 2012.

Like his past visits, Palma  would not talk in detail  about what they discussed but said he  thanked Garcia for her “help” to the church for which he was “most grateful.”

Today  Garcia is expected to announce her decision about whether she would keep her annual tradition of dancing in the Sinulog festival,  a choice that would thrust her out of the confines of her office.

She earlier said her devotion to the Sto. Niño was  “deep” and that she was seriously weighing whether to  perform the prayer dance  for the Sto. Niño at the Sinulog parade or  grand finale as she’s done for each year of her term as governor since 2004.

The Court of Appeals is expected to hand down its decision anytime as well on Garcia’s  petition seeking a Temporary Restraining Order to stop Malacañang from suspending her for six months, a prospect that looked dim after  last week’s hearing in Manila.

Sectors eager to see an end to the Capitol standoff have speculated that the Sinulog festival or intervention by a high church official could provide the “graceful exit” for Garcia to end her stay-in protest.

Archbishop Palma remained pastoral in his public pronouncements yesterday after his closed-door meeting with Garcia.

He said  his visit was part of his activities marking  the second anniversary of his installation as Cebu archbishop.

“Para sa akin kasi lalo na sa celebration of the feast of the Sto. Niño, it doesn’t appear well that people are coming to rejoice and yet many of the Cebuanos really feel sad because of this situation,” he said.

“Basically if you ask  Cebuanos, we are a joyful and peace-loving people. Their situation does not go well with reality. There should be a peaceful resolution to this case as well just resolution.”

The archbishop said he also  came to thank Garcia for her help to the Catholic church.

“As archbishop of Cebu, I should thank the people who are instrumental in making my stay significant especially in terms of my service. I thank the governor because I know how much she has done to help the church,” he said.

“Dako kaayo ang iyang natabang sa simbahan and as acrchbishop of Cebu I was telling her I am most grateful.”

“My appeal is really an appeal for prayer because I think it is prayer  that  could touch the heart and it is the will of God who could really give a fair and just decision,” he said.

“I am not venturing  any human judgement but  I always say ipagdasal natin (let’s pray over it). We ask the guidance of the Lord because if it is the Lord’s will that is to be  followed… It is God’s will that is good for everybody.”

“I hope for the speedy and peaceful resolution of the case. I know that many of us Cebuanos suffer because of this. We hope that the proper authorities will really decide soon,” he said. “We also pray as always for justice and fair judgement.”

Palma said Cebuanos want to see a peaceful end to the nearly month-long impasse  in the Governor’s Office. “/Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus