“We are grateful for the ‘No’ votes of the legislators. You are truly honorable,” said Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, also CBCP-ECMI chair.
The prelate said position or personal privilege did not matter to the 54 lawmakers. “You manifest your clear conscience and your fear of God and not the fear of losing perks,” he said.
Santos said that the legislators saying “No” to death penalty are considered by the CBCP-ECMI as “agents and angels of life.”
“You honor and fear God whereas others fear losing chairmanships and material privileges. You stand up to our moral principle,” the bishop said, taking pride in the solons who are “truly Filipinos defending Filipinos to live and have a life.”
“We admire your principle, your conviction and commitment to Catholic teachings, especially about the sanctity of life,” Santos said.
He expressed hope that in the Upper Chamber, “it will not be politics of convenience but commitment to life, not political party of positions but a party of principles.”
The bishop sent a message of gratefulness to Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd of Bataan’s second district for voting against the death penalty.
