๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ฃ ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐จ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐?
๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ-๐๐ถ๐ธ๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐, ๐๐ฎ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ด ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ฎ๐๐
According to the Administrative Section of the Laoag City Hall, the camp of the Leni Robredo-Kiko Pangilinan tandem has not filed any application for permit for a rally in the city.
Bishop Renato Mayugba announced in a meeting of priests yesterday that he is allowing the use of the St. Maryโs Seminary for the gathering of Leni-Kiko supporters because โno public place was approved for their (Team Robredoโs) use.โ It now appears that there was nothing to approve because no request has been made.
Talking to members of the local media, City Hall staff said what was not permitted last month was a gathering of Leni-Kiko supporters at the Laoag City Aurora Park, but only because the venue had been reserved for another purpose. Organizers then went to the Carmelite Monastery where the sisters, having been made to believe that the disapproval is deliberate and unfair, opened their grounds for the political gathering.
Priests who were dismayed by the bishopโs decision talked to The Ilocos Times on condition of anonymity. They said many of them were silently in disagreement. One of them shared, โWhen it was announced, there were no reactions from priests, they were quietโฆ agrebrebelde iti uneg dagti papadi ngem saan a maiexpress gapu iti buteng.โ (They were revolting inside, but they did not show it because of fear.) Another priest lamented that the name of the church is again being dragged into controversy because religious leaders do not exercise โprudence when it comes to political matters.โ
Today, a couple of priests expressed their pity on the bishop โwho appears to have been deceived by self-proclaimed victims of political persecution.โ One priest sympathetic to the prelate said, โthese political propagandists took advantage of his kindness and compassion.โ
Still, a growing number of lay people are considering writing a letter to Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, about Bishop Mayugbaโs actions that cause โdiscord and confusion in the church community.โ
Located in Brgy. Mangato, Laoag City, St. Maryโs Seminary is adjacent to a parish church and a monastery: the St. Lourdes Parish and the Clarisas Capuchinas Sacramentarias.
This reporter went to the Bishopโs Residence to get Bishop Mayugbaโs side. He was told by a staff member that the prelate is not inclined to grant an interview on the matter. The Ilocos Times is open to any reaction from the Diocese of Laoag.
(Joni Luis)