UCA News
Contribute

New Philippine president opens 'window of hope' for poor

Expectations among church leaders, public running high with Duterte set to take office
New Philippine president opens 'window of hope' for poor

The majority of supporters of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte come from the provinces and urban poor communities in the cities. (ucanews.com photo by Vincent Go)

 

Published: June 29, 2016 09:28 AM GMT
Updated: June 29, 2016 09:30 AM GMT

Philippine church leaders said they look forward to incoming president Rodrigo Duterte assuming office, saying he has opened a "window of hope" for the poor.

President-elect Duterte is to be inaugurated as the 16th president of the Republic of the Philippines on June 30.

"We see a window of hope because he has shown a heart for farmers and the poor," said Father Edwin Gariguez, head of the social action secretariat of the Catholic bishops' conference.

On the eve of Duterte's inauguration, the bishops' National Secretariat for Social Action held a consultation with farmers on the prospects of agrarian reform under the new administration.

"The farmers see the new administration has a clear stance in siding with farmers on the issue of land distribution," Father Gariguez told ucanews.com.

The government's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, which expired in 2014, mandated that each landless peasant be awarded up to three hectares of agricultural land.

In spite of laws ordering distribution of large land-holdings, data from the Philippine agrarian reform office show that some 708,000 hectares of land have yet to be distributed.

Father Gariguez said farmers expect Duterte to revamp the bureaucracy during his first 100 days in office.

"Even if we have a change of policy, unless the bureaucracy is clean, change will not prosper," the priest said.

"We expect the new administration will make true its promise to fight corruption in government," he said.

 

Father Edwin Gariguez of the National Secretariat of Social Action (second left) joins farmers in a consultation on June 29 about the prospects of agrarian reform under the administration of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte. (ucanews.com photo by Joe Torres)

 

Hope for migrant workers

Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said Filipino migrant workers have expressed hope that Duterte will also have a "heart for overseas Filipino workers."

"Our [migrant workers] hope that their sacrifices and services for the country will be recognized with gratitude [and] they will be protected and their rights respected," said Bishop Santos.

In a statement, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines expressed hope that the new administration's programs "will truly address the challenges of social justice and the need for fundamental socio-economic reforms."

"There is a need to urgently address ... the forces that propel our people to seek employment abroad," said Bishop Rex Reyes, secretary-general of the country's Protestant churches.

Bishop Reyes said the new administration should address the "unacceptable levels of unemployment and underemployment in the country, wage injustice and lack of adequate humane working conditions, and landlessness."

The bishop said the national council of Protestant churches will fully support Duterte in all his mandated tasks that are "godly and just."

 

Vigilance will continue

A "national people's summit" of activists held on June 29 formulated a "program for change" that will be presented to Duterte when he assumes office on June 30.

Protestant Bishop Felixberto Calang of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform said rights activists and civil society groups are pressing Duterte on the rights of Filipinos as a people.

"We are not only referring to human, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Equally important is the right to self-determination and liberation as a people," said Bishops Calang.

He said the "program for change" asserted by various sectors is a "positive development before Duterte's inauguration as president."

"He won the people's mandate based on his campaign promise that change is coming. We won't be asking for less once he assumes office," said the prelate.

Bishop Reyes said church leaders would continue to be vigilant in following through the campaign promises of the incoming president.

Several Catholic bishops earlier reacted to Duterte's penchant for attacking church leaders, including allegations of bishops and priests being involved in corruption, child abuse, and of breaking their vows of celibacy.

Father Gariguez, however, said if Duterte's promise to implement change and reforms benefit the poor and the farmers "then why should we go against it?"

The priest, however, said Duterte should also remember that most of those who voted for him are Catholics, "and it is wrong to equate the church with the bishops."

"The voice of the church is not only the bishops, but also the laypeople, the poor, and the peasants," he said.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia