The Palace on Tuesday told politicians who plan to use the apostolic visit of Pope Francis for grandstanding purposes, to find another occasion to do so.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the focus of the visit should be on the Pope and no one else.
“Mainam po na sa pagdalaw ng Santo Papa ang pangunahing pokus, ang sentral na atensyon ay matutuon mismo sa Mahal na Santo Papa at ‘yung ibang mga naghahangad na maging prominente din ang pagkakilala sa kanila, mas mainam siguro na pumili na lang sila ng ibang okasyon,” he said when asked if the Palace has any message to politicians who intend to use the Papal visit for their political gain.
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Manila and Tacloban City, Leyte from Thursday to Monday. The Pontiff is currently in Sri Lanka the first leg of his two-country Asian tour.
Meanwhile, Coloma said the Palace is still gathering data to determine the total expenditure for the Papal visit.
“Hanggang sa ngayon ay kinakalap pa ‘yung mga datos. Pansinin natin na maraming ahensiya ng pamahalaan ang involved dito,” he explained, noting that some of the preparations being made, such as road repair, are part of the agencies’ regular expenses.
“At tulad ng ating nabanggit noong nakaraan, hindi naman ito lalayo sa makatwiran at resonableng antas ng paggugol na sinusunod sa tuwing may dadalaw na katulad ng Mahal na Santo Papa,” he added. PND (ag) |