Mike ‘closer to us’ than Tom; Church happy with Rama win

CEBU, Philippines - The Episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu said that the Church is happy that re-elected Mayor Michael Rama and vice mayor-elect Edgar Labella won in the May 13 election, saying the two officials are much closer to the Church than their rivals.

Monsignor Esteban Binghay said that if the local chief executives are close to the Church, the latter can coordinate with the city government easily.

Binghay added that as Cebu City will be the host of the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) on January 2016, the Church is now starting to prepare for the huge international event.

"Nalipay ang simbahan nga nakadaug si (Michael) Rama ug (Edgar) Labella, kay they are closer to the Church, especially now that we are preparing for the International Eucharistic Congress," Binghay said.

"Kung ang mayor layo-layo sa simbahan, maglisud ta og coordinate. Si Rama suod kaayo sa simbahan. And since Cebu City is the host, it is easier for us to deal with the city government regarding the preparations of the event," Binghay added.

It can be recalled that both Rama and Labella were endorsed by the Lay Initiatives for Life during the campaign period prior to the elections.

Binghay recalled that Rama was even there in Rome during the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod and was very supportive during the national thanksgiving Mass which was held at the South Road Properties.

"He (Rama) already knows what to do, we have the same wavelength especially on the things needed for certain big religious gatherings," Binghay said.

Binghay said that the IEC come 2016 will be a much-awaited event, especially of the huge possibility of Pope Francis coming here to grace the event.

This after Cebu Archbishop Palma earlier received a letter from the IEC president on Pontifical Committee Msgr. Piero Marini suggesting that the IEC be moved to January on consideration to the schedule of the Holy Father.

Palma, who also heads the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, believes that the suggestion means the Pope is interested in coming to Cebu.

Binghay also clarified that defeated mayoralty candidate and outgoing south district Representative Tomas Osmeña, as well as his wife Margot, are good Catholics. But if compared, Binghay said that Rama is much closer to the Church.

"Silang Tomas okay man pero Rama is closer gyud, mas suod gyud siya sa simbahan," Binghay said. 

When sought for comment, Osmeña said: “Mike Rama maybe closer to the Catholic Church. But is this because I give non-catholic equal treatment?”--/BRP (FREEMAN)