By CBCP News
June 26, 2021
Manila, Philippines
A leader of the Catholic Church has called for the restoration of ‘decency and integrity’ in governance at the funeral of former President Benigno Aquino III.
In his homily, Archbishop Socrates Villegas appealed to “bring back, recover, preserve and safeguard” what he described as “the dying decent governance”.
“…Never again compromise our dignity as a people and the decency of our leaders as servants, not bosses,” Villegas said.
“Maybe and I do hope his death sparks another fire within us to resurrect his example of decency and integrity,” he said.
The archbishop presided over the funeral service for Aquino at the Church of the Gesù in the Ateneo de Manila University.
His homily did not mention any name but lamented the “mediocrity, violence, vulgarity and treachery” in the country today.
The former president died of renal disease secondary to diabetes on June 24. He was 61 years old.
“His sickness can no longer threaten, where fake news has no more place and trolls are dead,” Villegas said.
Aquino’s remains were cremated, and his family decided to have a one-day public viewing of the urn at Ateneo, his alma mater.
Following the funeral service, the urn containing the ashes of Aquino was interred beside the tombs of his parents at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.
