I learned that Ang Kapatiran Party candidate for senator Lito David was grilled by students in a forum recently held at UP Diliman. Accordingly, questions from students were sharp and thought-provoking. But as usual, David’s answers to all the questions were given in a Kapatiran way, meaning, for all intents and purposes, they were based on the teachings of the Catholic Church. After all, during this campaign period when the faith and integrity of the Church are at stake, Ang Kapatiran candidates, like David, are morally bound to defend their faith and the Church.
I am proud of Brother Lito who firmly stands his ground and keeps on stressing that he will bring his Catholic faith to the Senate once he is elected into office. Truly, a believing and practicing Catholic, like Brother Lito who loves the Church, should defend the Church at all costs and unconditionally embrace her teachings on the fundamental contents of faith and morals. It is my humble opinion that anyone who professes that he or she is a Catholic, yet acts in a contrary manner, is a humbug.
Ours is a pluralistic society, and probably most of our Catholic politicians aver that they can make up their own minds on different social issues without being guided by any moral directives from the Church. That is fine by me. Yet the Church, through some of her bishops and priests, is relentlessly reminding Catholic politicians of their moral obligations to the teachings of the Church.
When shall Catholic politicians truly behave as Catholics? Shall the bishops and priests be tongue-tied on these crooked behaviors of Catholic politicians? All of us Catholics should be awakened from our moral slumber and denounce this “anti-Catholic outbreak” in the ranks of our Catholic politicians.
I believe that the Church is God’s living voice. I am confident that Brother Lito will remain a part of that voice and continue to evangelize politics either in or out of the Senate hall.
—REGINALD B. TAMAYO,
member, National Executive Board,
Ang Kapatiran Party,
reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com