Except for RH law, bishops happy with Sona

PRESIDENT Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (Sona) was met with mixed reactions from the Catholic Church, with some bishops welcoming it while others were dismayed by his stand on reproductive health.

Romblon Bishop Arturo Bastes expressed disappointment with Mr. Duterte’s promise to fully implement the reproductive health law, which the Church has vigorously opposed.

“It seems the President is now open to the Church and its teachings, but I was turned off by his emphasis on the full implementation of the RH law, which is the start of the national calamity of reduced population,” Bastes said.

For Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the non-mention of the death penalty was a good sign, saying he hoped it was intentional on the President’s part.

“If he is serious in not taking God away, he should also follow the commandments of God, especially thou shall not kill,” Pabillo said.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ong- tioco agreed, saying he was happy with Duterte’s statement that one could not separate God from the state.

“I am happy he stressed the truth that we cannot separate God from the state. We should never lose our focus on God. Hopefully good changes will come,” he said.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos found Mr. Duterte’s Sona inspiring and encouraging.

“The President is magnanimous and forgiving – he did not resort to finger-pointing and the sins of the past. He pointed out realistically the situation and offered concrete action,” Santos said.

Santos thanked the President for his concern for the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

“In particular, I am grateful for his compassion and concern for our OFWs, as he plans a single office to attend to their needs. Please continue to protect the well-being of our OFWs,” Santos said.

As to Duterte’s declaration of a unilateral cease-fire with the communist rebels, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said the President appeared sincere in his mission to attain peace.

“The President wants peace in our country as all of us aspire to attain. He is sincere and we hope the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army will do the same. We welcome this,” Jumoad said.

Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez called Duterte’s address a very good Sona, citing his emphasis on good governance and the fast delivery of basic social services, the non-separation of God and state, and other matters.

Gutierrez noted Duterte’s aim of an inclusive economy and participatory democracy, as well as his respect for empowering the poor and lumad, human rights, human dignity and social justice. But one group expressed disappointment the President was silent on the education problems of the country. The League of Filipino Students (LFS) yesterday said that while they found Mr. Duterte's address "refreshing and interesting," it skipped issues plaguing the education system, particularly the rising cost of education and the implementation of the K to 12 program. With a report from Jocelyn R. Uy