Vidal ‘don’ts’ and politicians

The cardinal-priest’s advice was a tough act to follow, even tougher for those who hold elective public office

Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, in his homily at the funeral of Cardinal Ricardo Vidal Thursday (Oct. 26), said the good cardinal had three pieces of advice, which could guide most everyone’s life: clergy or lay person, public or private official.

And, yes, even those who hold elective office, many of whom were among the thousands of people who attended or watched or listened to the broadcast of the farewell ritual at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Villarojo, one of two auxiliary bishops who help Archbishop Jose Palma run the Archdiocese of Cebu, was Vidal’s secretary from 2001 when he returned from Rome (where he earned his doctorate in philosophy) until 2010 when he became a parish priest. He knew him well: that can be said of Villarojo in his ties with Vidal.

Same message

The cardinal repeated the same message to persons and groups Vidal met and talked with, to the point that, Villarojo who was often near him said, he memorized each line. [] “Ayaw’g pangaway.” [] “Ayaw’g pagbusog.” [] “Take care of your brothers.” The first is tough to do. The second is hard to resist. The third is easier said than done. In sum, precepts that many politicians mouth and supposedly embrace but never quite succeed in doing.

Discord

Disagreement is a facet of political conversation. In a democracy, unanimity rarely exists. The majority view prevails but discord doesn’t cease with the end of an election or a litigation over a public issue. A call for unity from anyone is a fist unleashed against the moon.

Nothing wrong if the exchange of views is civil and faithful to facts and logic. A debate at times produces the better solution or exposes the foolish policy. It is when harsh words fly and each camp uses devices and strategies that flirt with the immoral or illegal when the injunction “ayaw’g pangaway” helps.

BOPK and Team Rama tells that to each other, yet they have not stopped their public catfight.

Inordinate greed

As to excessive want or desire, how can the politician be told to slow down in piling up wealth or consolidating power? He understands “inordinate” only when his lawyer pairs it with the word “delay” to bring down a corruption complaint against him.

He reasons out that he cannot stop without risking the loss of wealth or power he has worked hard for. He makes his kin run to protect the elective seat his clan dominates while he sits out his term limit. He won’t agree with Vidal who, Villarojo said, advised seminarians, who griped about not having enough food, not to eat so much to leave room in his stomach for water.

Not frat brothers

Taking care of brothers is helping those who suffer because they have less food or inadequate shelter or are victims of injustice or oppression. It is not fixing the case so that two immigration officials who are fraternity brothers won’t be charged with plunder, only for a lesser crime that is bailable.

Vidal’s advice was a tough act to follow, even tougher for politicians.