MANILA, Philippines - Evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva yesterday led the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) community in praying for President Aquino’s love life.
The President was the keynote speaker at JIL’s 36th anniversary at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila yesterday.
Just before Aquino left the stage, Villanueva asked the JIL community, those at the grandstand and those watching at home to stretch their hands toward the President and pray for him.
Villanueva asked God to grant the desires of Aquino’s heart and bless him in all the aspects of his life.
While he asked the Lord to pray for Aquino’s presidency “that would be recorded in the pages of history,” what struck many was the tail end of the preacher’s prayer for the Chief Executive.
“May God bless all of us. If I may also ask Father, bless his love life so that he could experience the complete blessings,” Villanueva said.
Call for peace, unity
The JIL called on Filipinos to pray for peace and unity amid political tensions dividing the country.
They thanked the President for taking part in their celebration and said “they will pray for him to always take the righteous path in leading our country.”
Villanueva said all Filipinos regardless of religion must rise up as one, take a stand and pray for peace to reign in the country.
“My vision for the Philippines is for each and every one of us to be peacefully united with one another. But peace is a long process that starts with the acknowledgement, especially from our leaders, that we have done wrong to our countrymen. It is only after the mistakes have been acknowledged can the country move forward,” he said.
For his part, Villanueva’s son Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva said poverty alleviation is another key toward achieving peace and unity in the country.
“Inclusive growth will only be just words unless our countrymen get employment opportunities that will allow them to provide for the basic needs of their families. There will always be restlessness in our country until such time when the economic gap between the rich and the poor is narrowed,” the younger Villanueva said.
An estimated one million followers attended the JIL anniversary.
Over the past months, scandals on the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the Disbursement Acceleration Program have divided the country. On its heels followed alleged corruption issues hounding Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family.
“All of these issues need to be resolved at the soonest possible time for the country to move forward. – Evelyn Macairan