Palace: Interfaith prayer is for calamity victims, not reconciliation with critics

A Malacañang official has implied that an interfaith prayer that President Benigno Aquino III will lead on Monday is not meant as a move towards reconciling with his critics.

 

"The President’s New Year’s resolution still holds. Parang ibang venue naman po. Ibang event or at least iba po iyong thrust [nung prayer] as explained by Secretary [Herminio] Coloma of the activity on Monday," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said during a press conference Friday.

 

She was referring to one of the Aquino's New Year's resolutions, which is to ignore people or critics who are “unreasonable” and “hopeless,” like those who demand the resignation of his Cabinet officials.

 

Valte made the statement after she was asked whether the President will use Monday's interfaith prayer for Yolanda victims to reconcile with his critics.

 

On Thursday, the Palace announced that Aquino will lead on Monday at 5 p.m. an interfaith prayer for the victims of calamities, specifically of the Zamboanga crisis, Bohol earthquake, and Typhoon Yolanda.

It said the President will be joined, among others, by representatives of various faiths, including Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Police Superintendent Imam Ebra Moxsir of the Imam Council of the Philippines, Commissioner Zenaida Pawid of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples, Isaias Samson of Iglesia ni Cristo, and a representative of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches. — Kimberly Jane Tan/JDS, GMA News