The head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on the Laity has discouraged the public from voting for those belonging to political dynasties in the May 2022 polls.
An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People has asked overseas Filipino workers in Iraq to watch the "historic" visit of Pope Francis there.
Published March 5, 2021, 2:58 PM
For Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, the Mass of Pope Francis in the Vatican for the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines shows his “deep affection” to the country.
This photo taken and handout on March 03, 2021 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis holding a live streamed weekly private general audience in the the library of the apostolic palace at The Vatican. (Photo by Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP)
“It is a overflowing blessings for us all, Filipinos and shows deep affection of our Holy Father to our country,” he said in a statement on Friday, March 5.
Bishop Ruperto Santos
(CBCP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Let us hail this labor accord between our country and with UAE as it brings comfort and hope in this uncertain and unprecedented time of COVID-19,” Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, vice chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said in an interview Thursday, March 4.
He added that such proper coordination and mutual cooperation will “guarantee protection of our household service workers (HSWs) and promotion of their rights.”
With the expected resumption of deployment to the UAE, Santos said, Filipinos can once again show their honesty, being hardworking and helpful. He assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of prayers.
Bishop Joel “Bong” Baylon
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Bishop Joel Baylon, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care, said PDLs should be included because they are vulnerable to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to the situation in the country’s jails.
“It goes without saying that even PDLs deserve to receive assistance just like any other ordinary citizen, especially because their situation (in many congested jails) makes them ever vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus,” he said in an interview Wednesday, March 3.
Last year, Baylon joined calls for the immediate release of vulnerable inmates in view of the growing number of PDLs testing positive of the COVID-19.