By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
ARCHBISHOP Antonio Ledesma has called for a “viligant collaboration” with the incoming Duterte administration even as he called on the next President to re-think his position on restoring capital punishment.
Ledesma told reporters the Roman Catholic Church’s position is to collaborate and help the elected officials “because that is our task.”
But he added that the Church would also be vigilant so that government would “respect human rights, and human dignity.”
Ledesma said this even he stressed out that the Roman Catholic Church would not soften its position against the reimposition of death penalty in the country despite President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s stance.
Duterte, in an earlier interview, said he wanted hardened criminals hanged.
Ledesma said there were other sectors outside the Church that are strongly opposed to capital punishment.
“Supak gyud kita sa capital punishment because we know it does not solve the problem, and it is a form of injustice really for the poor who cannot defend themselves [in court],” he said.
He appealed to Duterte to improve the criminal justice system and ensure that criminals are punished but not executed.
Ledesma said Duterte should uphold an international treaty against capital punishment, pointing out that the Philippines was among those that agreed to this.
He said the Church would continue performing a watchdog role during the Duterte administration.
Duterte has unleashed an stinging attack on the Roman Catholic Church after his election as president, calling it hypocrital even as he accused many priests of siring children.
“No comment,” said Ledesma. “I think the people can judge for themselves. Let the public judge kung tinood ba gyud nang gipadayag ni President-elect Duterte or if it is an exaggeration,” he said.
He welcomed Duterte’s pronouncements, saying it challenges Christians to balance their faith.
“Yes, of course, it is necessary for all of us to balance our faith with a good view of God’s salvation,” Ledesma said. (nitz arancon)
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