Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo has slammed the government’s inefficiencies and incompetencies in the year 2020.
In his new year’s eve homily on Thursday, December 31, Pabillo called out the government’s inactions and abuses that happened during the past year where pandemic and natural calamities have largely contributed to the sufferings of the people.
“Mabigat na ang mga natural calamities at health problems at economic problems na dala nito. mas lalo pang pinatindi, ang mga pagsasamantala ng pamahalaan sa taong bayan,” Pabillo said.
The outspoken bishop and known Duterte critic also scored the government for its hastily passing of the anti-terror law which many critics fear will be used to silence government critics. Pabillo also mentioned the Supreme Court’s inaction with the 37 petitions against the law.
“Patago at sapilitan pinasabatas ang terror law. Kung gaano kabilis ang pagpasa ng terror law ganun din kabagal ang pag-aksyon ng Supreme Court sa 37 petitions laban dito. Mula noong buwan ng Mayo hanggang sa buwan na ito, hindi pa naaaksyunan ang mga petitions na ito,” the Bishop continued.
The Anti-terrorism Act of 2020 also known as the Anti-Terror Law was signed by President Duterte on July 3. Immediately after the signing, several petitioners from different cause-oriented groups, groups of lawyers, and former lawmakers and government officials took to the Supreme Court to petition the law and some of its problematic provisions. The Supreme Court however has still yet to act on each of those petitions.
Pabillo also blasted the government’s obvious hand in the denial of the ABS-CBN franchise application.
“Ganun din kabilis ang pagtanggal ng franchise renewal ng abs-cbn na wla namang dahilan,” he said.
ABS-CBN has been shut down since May following the expiration of its franchise and the cease and desist order by the NTC. In July, the House of Representatives through the votes of the 70 Cayetano-led congressmen with the marching orders from the President sealed the fate of ABS-CBN on free TV when it voted to reject the Kapamilya network’s franchise application.
And lastly, the fiery Bishop also blasted the government’s lackluster performance in addressing the effects of the pandemic.
“At mabagal din ang pagtugon ng ayuda sa mga nawalan ng hanapbuhay,” said Pabillo.
