One dark spot in papal visit

ON DISTANT SHORE
By Val G. Abelgas

The five-day visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines went on smoothly despite the gathering storm that dumped rains on the papal entourage every day. It was a trip worth remembering for the millions of Filipinos who heard the Pope’s messages in the three masses that he presided, and the throngs that braved the rains and lined up the streets to see the Vicar of Christ.

There was just one dark spot throughout the visit, and it was not the storm or the “security nightmare” that the police and military so feared about. That it happened right in Malacanang and during the arrival reception for the Pope was just as unforgettable, and perhaps unforgiveable to many Filipinos.

The editorial of the Manila Standard Today described it aptly as like “screeching of nails against a wooden board.” The editorial was referring to President Aquino’s welcome speech for Pope Francis, wherein the country’s leader chose to whine again on the faults of the previous administration and, true to his tradition, chided the Philippine clergy for the silence during those times and for now criticizing him and his administration.

After a recitation of his family’s sufferings during martial law and praising the Philippine clergy for standing up against the Marcos administration, he then slammed them for their silence against the abuses of the Arroyo administration and for criticizing him and questioning some of his decisions.

“There was a true test of faith when many members of the Church, once advocates for the poor, the marginalized, and the helpless, suddenly became silent in the face of the previous administration’s abuses, which we are still trying to rectify to this very day. In these attempts at correcting the wrongs of the past, one would think that the Church would be our natural ally,” the President said.

“In contrast to their previous silence, some members of the clergy now seem to think that the way to be true to the faith means finding something to criticize, even to the extent that one prelate admonished me to do something about my hair, as if it were a mortal sin.”

“Is it any wonder then, that they see the glass not as half-full, or half-empty, but almost totally empty. Judgment is rendered without an appreciation of the facts,” Aquino added.

Aquino has done it again. Spoil a party, an event. How many times has he been invited as guest of honor in events and lambasted the hosts with all kinds of whines and allegations?

In July 2012, Aquino was invited to grace the 25th anniversary of TV Patrol and used the occasion to criticize the popular news program’s anchor and former Vice President Noli de Castro, who was of course in the party, for supposed baseless speculation, and commentaries against the administration despite his own stint in government. He also criticized ABS-CBN for emphasizing bad news. The TV Patrol staff, ABS-CBN execs and guests were stunned and kept their silence.

Later that year, Aquino also scolded the Bureau of Immigration during its 72nd anniversary for allegedly conspiring in the escape of former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and his brother, who were accused in the killing of journalist Gerry Ortega.

In 2013, Aquino scolded the employees of the National Irrigation Administration in a speech during the agency’s 50th anniversary for failing to meet targets. Earlier that year, Aquino scolded Filipino-Chinese businessmen for not paying taxes during the induction of the officers of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce.

In 2011, Aquino criticized Chief Justice Renato Corona and the Supreme Court for its recent decisions in a forum for “coordination and cooperation” in the presence of Corona.

I have no idea what motivates Aquino to embarrass people in public forums. During the welcome reception for Pope Francis, Aquino slammed the bishops and priests in the presence of the Church’s leader. He looked like a kid making “sumbong” to the father of the kids whose actions he didn’t like.

To the credit of the Pope, his advisers and the bishops, they didn’t make much of the dressing down, except to say the speech was “original and unique.” Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Tagle didn’t comment, except to say “I hope we will not lose focus on the Pope.”

The Pope will almost certainly inquire about Aquino’s statements, and if he had not been informed yet of the bishops’ criticisms of Aquino, he would soon know about them. I don’t think the Pope would take his side, if ever, especially if informed of the corruption scandals that have rocked the Aquino administration in the past few years and the worsening poverty problem in the country.

Aquino may have gone too far with his personal tirades and whining this time. He called for unity among the people for the arrival of Pope Francis, but he was the first to show divisiveness at a time when the country and the people were focused on a warm welcome for the Pope. He was the first to show negativity at a time when the message was hope, mercy and compassion. He whined while the people rejoiced at the coming of the Vicar of Christ.

His whines were, of course, drowned by the unprecedented love shown by millions of Filipinos for the Pope. He accomplished nothing by embarrassing the Pope and the clergy. Instead, he only succeeded in widening the chasm between him and the bishops in the same manner that he alienated himself from the media each time he blamed them for his miseries, and in the same manner that he drew the Supreme Court farther away each time he criticized their decisions.

At the same time, it only exposed his vindictiveness and inability to take criticisms. His welcome speech wasn’t only improper, in bad taste, uncalled for, untimely, and un-presidential, it was also ineffective and ill advised, which he will find out soon enough.

(valabelgas@aol.com)