MANILA, Philippines – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Holy Thursday, March 28, will wash the feet of the man whose mission, according to the law, is to purify Philippine elections.

With a towel and basin of water, Tagle on Thursday will perform the customary Washing of the Feet ritual on Sixto Brillantes Jr, the 73-year-old chair of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

Thursday’s ritual will take place at 5:30 pm at the San Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila.

In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, March 27, Brillantes said it will be his first time to undergo the Holy Thursday ritual, which commemorates the Last Supper before which Jesus washed the feet of his 12 apostles.

The theme of the ritual is election-related, Brillantes said.

Those invited include representatives from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, and teachers who will serve on May 13. Brillantes will represent the Comelec.

“Sabi ko, pupunta ako. Magpapa-pedicure muna ako bago ako pumunta doon bukas. Nakakahiya naman,” Brillantes said in jest. (I said I will come. I will probably get a pedicure before I go there tomorrow. Otherwise it’s humiliating.)

Brillantes’ vow, Tagle’s challenge

A long-time election lawyer before joining the Comelec, Brillantes has vowed to cleanse Philippine elections using his knowledge of election operators’ dirty tricks. (Read: Brillantes: I’ll defend sole client now.) 

(Watch more in the video below.)

Tagle, for his part, has appealed to Philippine leaders to listen to their flock, especially in light of the coming elections. 

“We demand of others and, in this case, we demand of our public servants a listening ear. But realizing ourselves how difficult it is to listen, then maybe, maybe, we can encourage them. Maybe we can understand what are the hindrances to listening,” Tagle said in an election-related recollection in February. (Watch more in the video below.)

Holy Thursday is 46 days away from the May 13 elections. – Rappler.com