PNoy takes a jab at ‘religious’ critics

MANILA, Philippines – Is he at odds with Catholic Church leaders again?

Saying it’s his Christian duty to do so, President Benigno S Aquino III said on Tuesday, April 17, that he would like to send out copies of the Lord’s Prayer to “certain members of the religious” as they seem to have forgotten what the prayer stands for.

Mr Aquino made the remark after hearing the Bicol University choir’s rendition of “Ama Namin” at the conferment of a posthumous honorary degree on his late mother, President Corazon C. Aquino.

“If I can borrow the prayer that you had [delivered], I want to send it to certain…members of the religious who seem to have forgotten what ‘Ama Namin’ stands for, as my Christian duty to them,” he said.

Mr Aquino did not elaborate or mention any names but his comment, though made in jest, came days after 2 Mindanao bishops criticized his offered solution to the power supply problem in Mindanao.

Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez and Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon had criticized the President for telling the people of Mindanao that they would have to bear higher power rates to enjoy continued power supply.

Other Catholic bishops had criticized Mr Aquino over the reproductive health issue, and his harshest critic, retired Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, has been constantly slamming the President over a range of issues, including his competence to lead the country. – Rappler.com