Bulakenyos saddened but admire Pope’s decision

MALOLOS CITY—Pope Benedict XVI resignation as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church drew sadness and admiration from Bulakenyo leaders yesterday.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva, the founder of the Jesus Is Lord Movement described the pope’s decision as a “supreme sacrifice” a sign of “selflessness” and said that it must be emulated by all other leaders.

“I salute him for that. It is a sign of greatness,” Villanueva said in an exclusive interview yesterday after the launch of his senatorial campaign at the Bulacan Provincial Gymnasium here.

A religious leader before entering politics, Villanueva said that the Pope’s decision is grounded on the Pontiff’s clear understanding of the power of the cross and  Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

“I read his two books, and he (Pope) has very clear understanding of the power of the cross and resurrection. 

Sana lahat ng leader ay katulad niya na hindi kapit tuko sa posisyon,” Villanueva said.

He added that leaders of any discipline must have a sense of selflessness, greatness and destiny.

“He said he cannot do his job effectively anymore, that is selflessness and other leaders must emulate him.”

Villanueva said.

For his part, former Gov. Roberto Pagdanganan also expressed sadness on the Pope’s decision.

“I am saddened, I thought he was doing well,” Pagdanganan said.

He also expressed admiration of the Pope’s decision and said it was a noble act.

“It is not only an act fo sacrifice, it is a noble act,” Pagdanganan said. Dino Balabo

Bulakenyos cross partylines, throw support to Bro. Eddie

MALOLOS CITY—Crossing party lines, past and present Bulacan political leaders yesterday came together in support of the Senate bid of televangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

This came as Villanueva, the lone senatorial candidate of Bangon Pilipinas, kicked off his campaign here which was also broadcast online.

“Walang ibang higit na kakalinga sa ating lalawigan kundi ang ating kalalawigan din,” said Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado in his opening speech endorsing the candidacy of Villanueva who came from Bocaue town.

He said that the Bulacan is approaching the threshold of fast pace development and the province needs the help of national leaders.

“We need allies in the Senate and our best bet is Bro. Eddie Villanueva,” said Alvarado.

The same was echoed by former governors Roberto Padanganan and Joselito Mendoza, now congressman of the third district, and Josefina dela Cruz, now  postmaster general of the Philippines Postal Corporation (Philphost).

All the above mentioned political leaders along with 92-year-old former governor Tomas Martin earlier signed a manifesto of support to Villanueva.

The same manifesto was signed by past and current congressmen, board members, mayors and vice mayors and councilors from different towns in the province.

For his part, Villanueva expressed gratitude for the support thrown in by his fellow Bulakenyos.

He said that it is the first time in the history of the province that political leaders cross party lines to support a single senatorial candidate.

“I am so grateful for their support despite the fact that they came from different political persuasions. They stand ten feet tall in solidarity to support my attempt to capture a Senate seat. The future of Bulacan is beyond politics,” Villanueva said.

During the launch of his Senate bid, Villanueva also unveiled his 3-E platform –”Ekonomiyang agresibo’t walang napagiiwanan; Edukasyon na napapanahon; Entrepinoy na masang Pilipino ang nangunguna at nakikinabang.”

He said the “3-Es” are needed in the growing economy in the country which he described as a result of President Aquino’s “tuwid na daan” program.

As founder of the Jesus Is Lord Movement (JILM), Villanueva noted the importance of moral leadership.

He said, “we need moral leadership. The bedrock of good economics is good politics.”