US-BASED PINOY PRIESTS SHOW SUPPORT FOR RODY

It is always nice to start a day with a smile.

Opening my Facebook page early today, I couldn’t help but smile upon seeing a photo of my friends, Fr. Roni Villamor, Fr. Toto Buenaflor and other Filipino priests who are now assigned in the United States of America displaying the “Duterte Kamao” sign.

I have long known that Fr. Ronnie, who is from the town of Tulunan, North Cotabato where residents have witnessed violence for over 50 years now, supports presidential frontrunner Rody Duterte.

Fr. Toto Buenaflor is from my hometown, M’lang the mother town of Tulunan, and he belongs to a family of politicians, as well. His late uncle, Rolping Buenaflor, was mayor of our hometown for so many years. His cousin, Luigi Buenaflor Cuerpo, was my vice mayor and he also became mayor of our town when I became Governor.

Both are now in Louisianna.

I almost could not believe that they would publicly display their presidential preference and post the photo in Fr. Roni’s Facebook page.

I know that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has issued a statement that it would not be supporting or endorsing any political candidate.

The announcement, however, failed to mention whether priests are disallowed to show their personal preferences.

This just goes to show that even priests believe that there should be Change in the Philippines today.

(Photos downloaded from Fr. Roni’s Facebook page.)