No matter how ugly: Bishop urges Duterte to tell true SONA

President Rodrigo Duterte must bare the real state of the nation regardless of how unpleasant the facts would be for his administration, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said on Monday.

“Just tell us the mere fact, however ugly they may be. We want to know the government’s action or inaction in the past two years,” Pabillo said in his homily at St. Peter Parish.

“Tama na ang pang-iinsulto, pagmumura, at pabibintang. Itigil na ang pagmumura. Ayaw namin marinig yan sa aming mga anak at ayaw namin marinig yan sa mga namumuno sa amin,” he added.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo leads the unity mass at St. Peter Parish with leaders from other religious groups. #SONA2018 @gmanews pic.twitter.com/hC0igy4VQ1

— TJ Roxas (@tj_roxas) July 23, 2018

Religious and activist groups are expected to gather in front of the parish church to air their grievances at the administration ahead of Duterte’s State of the Nation Address.

Pabillo appealed for Duterte to state facts instead of lashing out at groups who oppose his governance, saying he does not deserve the presidency if he fails to control himself at the podium.

“Inaasahan natin na iulat niya sa atin ang tunay na kalagayan ng ating bayan at magbigay siya ng programa na tutugon sa kalagayang ito. Sana tunay na kalagayan ang kanyang sasabibin,” Pabillo said.

“Kung yan lang ay di niya magawa, hindi siya karapat dapat na mamuno sa atin,” he added.

Pabillo also urged the Philippine leader to state how the government intends to give justice for the victims of the war on drugs, minimum wage earners, Lumad communities, workers affected by contractualization, and the fishermen who have been allegedly harassed by the Chinese Coastguard in the West Philippine Sea.

“Naghahanap tayo ng katarungan. Yan ang gusto ng Diyos. At yun ang gusto natin sa ating pamahalaan,” the prelate said.

Pabillo further said the administration must also learn to admit its mistakes and spare Duterte’s spokespersons from making conflicting statements in defense of his policy.

“There is nothing wrong in apologzing in something that is clearly wrong. Kawawa naman mga press officers ng Palasyo, nabubulol na sa pagtakip sa kamalian,” Pabillo said. — RSJ, GMA News