MANILA, Sept. 8 (PNA) — Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said the primary purpose of the prayer service that was attended Monday evening by the top contenders for the presidency in the May 2016 polls is to reflect on “servant leadership.”
“It was organized by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as part of pastoral care, not only of voters but also of potential candidates,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.
The prayer service was attended by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas. It was held at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) office in Intramuros, Manila.
“The program was simple: evening prayer, dinner, meditation on humble servant leadership in the bible and role of servant leaders in promoting the common good. No political discussion,” Tagle said.
According to PPCRV national chairperson Henrietta de Villa, the prayer service was attended by eight people, including the cardinal.
“It was an atmosphere of friendship. The cardinal reminded them that we hope even when the rigors of the campaign reached fever pitch that kind of atmosphere, that kind of interaction among the three of them will remain so that the level of the campaign would be elevated, people also look for something like this. Ang sabi ng cardinal, bigyan natin ng bagong dangal ang pag-kampanya,” she said in an earlier interview.
De Villa added, “It’s a rectangular-shaped table. Walang namili sa upuan. I was on the left of the cardinal. Grace on the right. Secretary Mar was beside Grace. The VP was beside me…”
She said that they are planning to hold another prayer service for other politicians who are looking to run in next year’s elections. (PNA)