Presidential Spiritual Adviser

Before the formal takeover of Noynoy Aquino as the 15th president, a lot of names for cabinet posts popped up. From that time, I was keeping an eye on who his spiritual adviser would be. Till now, I haven’t read any if there is. If P-Noy has one, I guess it is the Jesuit Theologian Fr. Catalino Arevalo, an Aquino Family friend. He was the man in black holding the Bible when P-Noy was sworn in.

Not all have the opportunity to have a spiritual adviser. Having one is a priceless religious asset and thence, as a person in the society. I said “asset” because a spiritual adviser cannot transform his disciple into a living saint. Not to be forgotten is a fact that there are bad spiritual advisers too. Strange but true.

Consider what Pres. Marcos’ spiritual adviser advised him. Whoever he was, I am sure that he reminded Marcos the widespread evils in his administration such as massive graft and corruption, summary killing, political assassinations (of critics) and rampant violation of human rights. That all of these must stop. Obviously, Marcos did not care.

In fairness to Mr. Marcos, when he pays a visit to places like Vigan, he goes first to the cathedral. He kneels and prays with a saintly posture. His usual prayers? That is a mystery --- probably to be in power forever. (Does anyone remember his last inauguration when Handel’s Alleluia was sung “And he shall reign forever and ever?”) But if one asks me if Marcos listened to his spiritual adviser, my answer is “no”. He preferred the advice of Satan. The savagery of his dictatorship attests so.

I am not familiar with Pres. Cory’s and Pres. Ramos’ spiritual advisers although many times, I believe, both presidents somewhat listened to their spiritual guide.

Now come Pres. Erap and Pres. Arroyo who were under the spiritual care of Bro. Mike Velarde of the El Shaddai movement.

To the best of my knowledge, Bro. Mike has no formal background in Theology. To me, he is not even a good speaker or preacher but has thousands of followers if they are not called fanatics. On why he was the favorite, only the two former presidents can give a definitive answer.

With the same question, what did Bro. Mike advice to Erap and Arroyo? Well, Bro. Mike probably gave his best in leading the two presidents to the path of righteousness as individuals and heads of state but he was not able to stop them in winking with broad smile to the call of the nether world otherwise the last two presidents should have been in good standing. That is, Erap would have not been kicked out from the Palace and Arroyo could have not garnered -53 at her worst and -33 at her best rating.

Fr. Arevalo is just my guess although Archbishop Soc Villegas is another possibility. At this point, P-Noy (Pres. Noynoy Aquino) might not have a spiritual adviser as president although he may have one as a citizen. If P-Noy has an official one, he may have advised him to do what he is doing now in fighting graft and corruption, searching for truth and transforming the country into a better place. These are not easy tasks but they cannot be done if there is no political will on the part of the president.

If there are issues in which the president needs sufficient and intellectual advice, one is sex education in schools and two, the Reproductive Bill.

May our president be gifted with wisdom and courage to lead our nation and us with or without the aid of a spiritual adviser.

Amen to that. -30-