The Senate on Wednesday (Jan. 21) adopted a resolution urging
political leaders to heed the call of Pope Francis to live simply and in
“outstanding honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good.”
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III earlier introduced Senate Resolution
No. 1110, saying the Pope’s call is relevant since the Philippines faces
the challenges of achieving inclusive growth.
”By following the Pope’s call, we will build a just nation in the
service of our people, especially the least of our brethren, as we
commemorate the year of the poor,” Pimentel said.
Senate
President Franklin Drilon said the Filipinos need and deserve leaders
who will make true of the Pope’s assertion that public governance is one
of the highest forms of charity.
“Public service is not about power or control, it is about uplifting
our people from poverty and hopelessness,” Drilon said, quoting a
statement made by the Pope during his recent five-day visit in the
Philippines.
Pimentel expressed hope that in the “Year of the Poor,” the country’s
lawmakers, inspired by the theme of the Papal Visit of “Mercy and
Compassion,” will pass more laws to benefit the common good and uplift
the poor.
Pimentel, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human
Rights, said the common good envisioned could only be achieved when the
people are prepared to share in the gargantuan effort.
In filing the resolution, Pimentel said the Pope chooses to live
simply as manifested, among others, by the emblems of his office that he
wears at public functions.
He said the Pope has set aside the gilded symbols of the papacy that
others before him had preferred in favor of the silver pectoral cross
and the silver papal ring.
Pimentel noted that despite sincere efforts by the government, a
significance percentage of the population continue to live in poverty
and want. (PNA)
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