Prayer support for former chief justice

Almost 500 United Methodists attended a prayer gathering for former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, a United Methodist chosen by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to lead a group studying a constitutional change to a federal form of government.

The March 22 gathering at Puno United Methodist Church in Diliman also marked the launch of a Prayer Support Group for Puno initiated by the Northwest Metro Manila district of the Philippines Conference and Quezon City Philippines Conference East. Several United Methodist churches also joined the event.

Two months ago, Duterte appointed top magistrates, lawyers, academics and former officials to a Consultative Committee for Charter Change, with Puno leading the way. The committee has six months to “study, conduct consultations, and review the provisions of the 1987 Constitution including, but not limited to, the provisions on the structure and powers of the government, local governance, and economic policies.”

“The premise is that our unitary government has resulted in our continuing rating as a failing democracy, and the reason for that is the over-centralization of powers in the national government,” Puno said, adding that those powers need to be redistributed to the provinces, cities and municipalities.

De-centralization under a federal system will result in a stronger democracy, he said.

“The resources will be shared equitably by all people; all major problems will be diminished in the process.”

Puno added that the committee will hear pros and cons as they draft a new constitution and there will be “massive consultations with the people.”

The retired chief justice sees his appointment as a challenge and opportunity to serve God and country. 

“We solicit the love, wisdom and guidance of the Lord almighty. We believe in the power of prayer so that the labors of this consultative committee will not be in vain. Without this power, we will not succeed,” he said.

Manila Area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco was joined in a concert of prayers by district superintendents and other bishops, including retired Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil, who uttered prayers for health, wisdom and security.

“We humbly ask that you bless him with good health, sustain him with the strength he needs to do the work, bless him with wisdom in discerning what is right and wrong for the good of our country,” Nacpil said. “We are also aware that he can be in danger. We pray for the safety of brother Puno. Protect him from danger.”

District superintendents the Revs. Gilbert Cedilla and Igmedio Domingo offered prayers on the welfare of the nation.

“We pray for peace based on justice. We collectively pray for your servant, Chief Justice Puno, as one with us in creating a new beginning, a new life full of meaning, life abundant for everyone,” Domingo said.

Retired Bishop Daniel Arichea Jr. prayed for upholding Christian values in the new constitution.

“Give them the right direction for our country and our people, through this revised constitution we may now heal our land, we may see unity and peace, joy, progress and prosperity,” he prayed.

Francisco said Puno asked him and the two other United Methodist bishops in the Philippines, Bishop Pedro Torio of the Baguio Episcopal Area and Bishop Rodolfo Juan of the Davao Episcopal Area, for prayers and guidance.

“The chief justice seeks guidance from the Holy Spirit,” Francisco said. “I believe this is a very critical and crucial task because it will determine the future of the Philippines.”  

As part of the Prayer Support Group movement, each person in attendance at the gathering was given a card with a daily prayer guide. Every day at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., the holder of the card is encouraged to pray for Puno and members of the consultative committee. 

During the gathering, the chief justice also asked for the support of the entire connection.  

“I ask for the support of the Methodist people, not only in the Philippines but the Methodist people all over the globe. I would like to think that this movement is a continuity of the movement of our founders, the Wesley brothers,” he said, noting that the Wesleys fought hard for marginalized people. 

“That is why they were fighting slavery at that time. We also have that modern type of slavery here in the Philippines. I see the powers that be of the people who have formed political dynasties, monopolies, as the ones holding the freedom of power toward a better life.

“In that light, I would like to think that this movement will improve the lives of the people.”

Mangiduyos is a communicator from the Philippines. News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor, [email protected] or 615-742-5470. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.