Archbishop volunteers to be the new president's spiritual adviser

MANILA, July 1, 2010—Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles is willing to serve as “spiritual adviser” of President Benigno Aquino III. [Huh?!]

Valles said he has not received any formal offer from Aquino yet but he is open to help the president anytime.

But the prelate admitted he may not be the right person for the job since there [are] more [sic] bishops who are “very capable” of addressing the president’s spiritual needs. [I think a simple priest can do the job.  Bishops have more pressing matters to attend to.]

“I think, the best ordinary thing that I can offer to him is my constant prayer for him and that he would act his action on the many beautiful values his parents have shown him,” Valles said over church-run Radyo Veritas. [That is better!  Please stay in your archdiocese, Your Grace.  You'd do a better service for the Church and the country.]

Saying that values are important, he urged Aquino to never lose sight on the Christian meaning of service to people.

The archbishop represented the Catholic Church in the ecumenical invocation during the inauguration of Aquino at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila yesterday.

Valles reiterated the prayer of hope and determination that the new president be true to his promise “if there is no corruption, there is no poverty.

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On the side...

Archbishop Valles' diocese of origin is the Diocese of Tagum.  He was appointed Bishop of Kidapawan before becoming Archbishop of Zamboanga.

According to my sources at CBCP, the post was initially offered by the Nuncio to the bishop of Tagum, Most. Rev. Wilfredo Manlapaz.  But the bishop declined, preferring to stay at the diocese he headed for more than 20 years.  My source even told me that the bishop told him that he does not want bigger problems and all the perks of being archbishop is to have a pallium.  What the?!@$&#*(&*  That led to him being chosen as archbishop.

I also learned that Archbishop Valles was sort of a king when he was bishop of Kidapawan, pressuring religious organizations to obey his whim.  I also learned from a friend that he specifically admonished the local radio station, DXND, to stop criticizing a local politician suspected of illegal gambling and logging.  Seems the bishop is REALLY close to local politicians, eh?

Uhm...Archbishop, did you notice the old priest in black and clerical collar who was holding the Bible where the new president placed his left hand when he took his oath of office?  That is Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, close friend of the Aquino family and THEIR SPIRITUAL ADVISER.

I hate to speculate but...

Hmmmm...

I hate to ruin my morning.