Estrada cancels annual homage to St. Jude

BACOLOD CITY — For the first time since he became the country’s chief executive, embattled President Estrada will not be able to come here and pay homage to his favorite saint, St. Jude Thaddeus, at the shrine he helped build three years ago.

Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Rene Villa confirmed the cancellation of the President’s scheduled trip here on Oct. 28.

Mr. Estrada was scheduled to attend the third anniversary of the St. Jude Thaddeus Shrine in Barangay Alijis.

While still the vice president, Mr. Estrada donated P4 million for the construction of the P14-million shrine. He has been a devotee of St. Jude, the patron saint of the hopeless, desperate and difficult, according to parish priest Fr. Felix Pasquin, who is also one of the President’s spiritual advisers.

Pasquin said they included intentions for Mr. Estrada, other leaders and the entire country in their Masses. "We are praying that the will of God will prevail," he said.

Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, who met with Mr. Estrada recently, said the President really wanted to come. — Antonieta Lopez