Meme going viral on Facebook after Pope Francis' departure at 10:00AM this morning:
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Record-shattering crowd in yesterday's mass at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila, the biggest public event during Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines.
Hacienda Luisita farmers yesterday hit President Aquino over his welcome speech for Pope Francis in Malacañang last Friday, describing his speech as “pure hypocrisy.”
In a statement, Florida Sibayan, chairman of the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala), an affiliate of the national federation Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), said the President pompously projects himself as “walang bahid (faultless)” even when his government has been shamelessly aiding his kin who continue to maintain control of Hacienda Luisita despite a landmark Supreme Court (SC) decision for total land distribution.
Under the Aquino administration, Sibayan said the implementation of land reform is nothing but “a monumental sham,” while violent eviction, unlawful arrests and threats against farmers continue, 10 years after the Hacienda Luisita massacre.
“Attacks against farmers are still perpetrated by Aquino’s family with the help of armed state forces and other institutions,” said Sibayan.
Aquino’s real and unforgivable offense was his “welcome speech” for the Pope. My knowledge of the English language has not equipped me with the right word to adequately describe that speech. The least one could say is that it was done in very bad taste.From the Holy Father to the members of the diplomatic corps and of the Cabinet, the expression on everyone’s face was one of disbelief. Nothing as unpresidential has been heard from any Filipino president before. It was offensive beyond measure, and I felt personally violated as I listened to it. I felt as though I were being literally stepped upon in my face as I lay helpless on the pavement.
The speech contained none of the usual amenities, and started off with a pointed statement that was meant to put the Church and the Pope on the defensive. - Francisco Tatad
Comparing the speeches of the pontiff and the President, Pope Francis exuded wisdom while Noynoy was comparably engaged in childish whining against the Catholic Church.
The Pope’s was a call for the preservation of human dignity amid an administration which has a sordid record on the respect of rights.“As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good. In this way they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with which God has blessed this country,” the pope said.
Compare that with Noynoy’s “in contrast to their previous silence, some members of the clergy now seem to think that the way to be true to the faith means finding something to criticize, even to the extent that one prelate admonished me to do something about my hair, as if it were a mortal sin.”
Was Noynoy half expecting the pope to admonish the local Church and tell Filipino priests to leave his hair alone?In all, the Pope gave a speech worthy of a wise patriarch while Noynoy sounded like a wimp. - Tribune
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