Estrada, Loi lead Simbang Gabi

Although he may not exactly be the Church’s favorite, President Estrada leads Filipino Catholics today at the start of the simbang gabi, the traditional nine-day pre-dawn novena leading to Christmas Day.

Mr. Estrada and First Lady Luisa Ejercito are to hear the early Mass at 4 a.m. at Malacañang Chapel. But Palace sources said the First Couple may opt to hear Mass either at San Miguel Church or St. Jude, both in the vicinity.

While tradition has it that the misa de gallo was meant for farmers and field hands so they can perform their religious obligations before they work in the fields and at the time when cocks begin to crow, there’s no law preventing impeached heads of state who want to be part of this unique Filipino practice.

Since the impeachment proceedings against him started in Congress, the President has sought "divine intervention" in coping with the trials and assorted hardships that have marked his political leadership.

Last Friday night, Mr. Estrada and the First Lady heard a special Mass celebrated for him at St. Jude Church, whose patron saint is for the hopeless and desperate.

Some 36 families, whose shanties at the back of the church were razed by fire last Nov. 26, took the opportunity to seek help from the President when they saw him in the unscheduled Mass.

Through parish priest Father Paul, Mr. Estrada gave each family P3,000 in financial assistance in the spirit of Christmas, perhaps just enough to keep their stomachs warm until noche buena.

The President started his traditional gift-giving to urban poor residents in Navotas and Malabon last Thursday.

On the eve of the start of simbang gabi, Mr. Estrada said the Church and State can work with each other while keeping the principle of the separation of their respective institutions, as prescribed by the Constitution.

Speaking after he witnessed the signing ceremonies at Malacañang of a government low-cost housing program in a joint venture with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, the President cited the project as one of the examples where the Church and the State can work together for the sake of the poor.

"This is one possible area of cooperation between the government and the Catholic Church amidst the ongoing political crisis that has engulfed the whole nation," he said.

Although he did not mention it, the President was apparently alluding to the Church-based organizations who have joined calls for his resignation and rejected his appeals for them to just let the impeachment process run its course. – Marichu Villanueva, Felix de los Santos