News Roundup 25 June 2021
Jun 25, 2021 • 4 min Read
Bishops mourn, remember Aquino for ‘deep dedication to democracy’ | PHILSTAR.COM – Catholic bishops in the Philippines joined the nation in mourning former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who, like the country’s former leaders, had rough patches too in their relationship with the church while in office. Aquino died in his sleep on Thursday at the age of 61 from renal disease secondary to diabetes, according to his family. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has since said they will remember him “for his deep dedication to democracy, good governance, and the dignity of the human person.” As president, Aquino wrestled with the church’s influence in the predominantly Catholic nation in 2012 when he pushed for the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health bill. The church opposed the measure for state-funded distribution of birth control pills and contraceptives in contrast to its teachings. It went as far as Bishop Nereo Odchimar, head of the CBCP at the time, suggesting that Aquino may face excommunication over his stance on the measure. Aquino eventually signed it into law by end of that year. In 2014, the Supreme Court declared it as constitutional, but struck down some provisions. “We are grateful for the mutual respect that existed between his administration and the Catholic Church in the Philippines,” said incumbent CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romullo Valles, “rooted in our unwavering faith in the Triune God, and our shared commitment to build a just, humane society, especially for those who are in need.” Bishops thanked Aquino too for his administration’s role in significant church events in the Philippines under his term — the sainthood of Pedro Calungsod, the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City, and the hosting of Pope Francis’ apostolic visit. Francis’ visit marked the fourth time a pope visited the country. Aquino spoke before him and the Filipino clergy in Malacañang of how the church, “once advocates for the poor, the marginalized, and the helpless, suddenly became silent in the face of the previous administration’s abuses.” In his installation Mass as Manila archbishop, Jose Cardinal Advincula urged the congregation to pray for Aquino.
Reflect on Noynoy Aquino’s death by defending ‘fragile democracy’ — Kiko Pangilinan | INQUIRER.NET – Former President Benigno S. Aquino III would have wanted Filipinos to focus on how to defend and protect the country’s “fragile democracy” and not just mourn his passing, his ally, Senator Francis Pangilinan, said Friday. “I think what the [former] president would want us to do today and probably reflect upon with his death is how do we defend, preserve our democracy, strengthen our democracy,” Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party, said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel. Aquino passed away in his sleep on Thursday morning due to renal disease secondary to diabetes, according to his sisters. He was 61. Aquino was the only son of Philippine democracy icons – the assassinated former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino. When asked what steps will the Liberal Party make following the death of one of its most prominent figures, Pangilinan said: I would go back to what he would have wanted as our chairman emeritus. He would have wanted, siguro sasabihin niya samin: ‘Huwag niyo ‘kong pagkaabalahan. Don’t waste your time on me. Don’t grieve. What we have [is] a democracy, a fragile democracy that needs to be defended’.” “‘We have a fragile democracy that we need to protect and preserve and that’s what we should be focused on.’ I don’t want to think that I know but I’m almost certain that he would agree with me if I put it that way. That this is what he would have wanted. It’s not about him, it’s about our fragile democracy,” the senator added. “His father died fighting for democracy. President Cory, his mother…[was] under threat of so many coups,” he added.
Senator Pimentel pays last respects to former President Pnoy Aquino | Manila Bulletin – Senator Aquilino ‘’Koko’’ Pimentel III with wife, Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, on Friday paid their last respects to former President Benigno ‘’Noynoy’’ C. Aquino III at the Ateneo Gesu Chapel. “I have tremendous respect for President Noynoy Aquino as I achieved justice during his term,’’ Pimentel, a former Senate President, said.
Philippines sees 6,812 new coronavirus infections | PHILSTAR.COM – Local health authorities on Friday reported 6,812 more COVID-19 infections, bringing the national caseload to 1,385,053.
- Active cases: 55,293 or 4.0% of the total
- Recoveries: 2,867, pushing total to 1,305,608
- Deaths: 116, bringing total to 24,152
Photo Source: IG of Ms. Niña Corpuz
