PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija – Bishop Roberto Mallari of the Diocese of San Jose vowed to look into the whole picture of the complaints of a group of residents here, including Vice Mayor Romeo Borja, Jr., against the town’s parish priest, Fr. Ernie Pesimo, over alleged politicking.
Mallari, who is only in his fifth month in the diocese, was in his regular pastoral visit at St. Andrews Parish on Tuesday but was greeted by the group in black shirts seeking Pesimo’s ouster from the parish. They also lit candles on a road leading to the church to underscore their protest.
The move was made by the residents purportedly in supporting Borja and his father, Mayor Romeo Sr., a day after Pesimo led another protest action of some employees of the municipal government and other groups such as Gabriela and La Solidaridad in assailing the administration’s alleged failure to pay their salaries as well as mid-year bonus on time.
Pesimo has been a vocal critic of the Borja administration and was often seen with anti-Borja protesters.
Mallari later met with the vice mayor.
“Nakinig lang ako kay vice at ang minimithi lang ay mapaabot sa parish priest ‘yung nagiging problema nila,” Mallari said.
He said he has yet to discuss the issue with Pesimo but suggested a dialogue between the two parties.
“Kami naman, meron kaming colloquium, pag-uusapan kung ano ang dapat naming gawin,” the bishop said, adding he would also consult other priests.
“Mag-uusap kami ni Father, pag-uusapan namin kung totoo nga itong ibinibintang sa kanya,” he said in response to allegations that the priest engages in partisan politics.
On Monday, Pesimo said he joins the protest against supposed anomalies in local government because they involve people’s lives.
“Hindi po pwedeng paghiwalayin ang sikmura’t kaluluwa,” Pesimo said, addressing issues on the separation of church and state.
“Mahalagang titingnan namin yung iba’t ibang anggulo ng problema. Ayokong magbigay ng judgment muna ngayon kasi nasa stage pa ng pakikinig at pag-aaral dun sa sitwasyon na nangyayari,” Mallari said.
