Palace willing to dialogue with Church leaders over Aquino right to lead nation

MANILA, Philippines – After Church leaders asked President Benigno Aquino III to give up his post for losing the “moral right to lead the nation,” Malacañang on Thursday said it was willing to hold a dialogue with them.

“Madalas naman po natin sinasabi yung kahandaan ng pamahalaang makipag-dayalogo basta resonable ang paguusap at magkakaroon ng pagkakaunawaan kung ano yung paguusapan,” Communications Secretary Herminio said during a televised briefing.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

(We always say that the government is ready to hold a dialogue as long as it will be reasonable discussion and the two parties will agree on the topics to be discussed.)

The National Transformation Council, led by Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa, Batangas, and Bishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla of Davao City, called on Aquino to “relinquish his position” for damaging the “moral fabric of the society” after his administration was beset by controversies.

Coloma insisted that the President should continue to follow his “social contract” with the Filipino people.

“Ang pinangako ho nya ay gagawin ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng nararapat para makaangat sa kahirapan ang mamamayan, makapagtatag po tayo ng mabuting pamamahala sa pamamagitan ng pagtahak ng daang matuwid, at sa suma total ng lahat ng ito, magkakaron ng transpormasyon sa lipunan Pilipino,” he said.

(Aquino promised that the government will do everything for the people to escape poverty, to be able to establish good governance through a straight path, and eventually transform the Filipino society.)

“Determinado ang pangulo na tuparin ang kanyang mga ipinangako at tuparin ang kanyang kontrata sa mamayang Pilipino,” he added.

(The President is determined to fulfill his promises and his social contract with the Filipino people.)