Church suspends priest running for mayor in Camarines Sur

A priest in the Bicol region has allegedly been banned from his clerical activities for entering the political arena.

According to Bishop Jose R. Rojas Jr. of Libmanan, Camarines Sur, church law does not allow priests to participate in politics.

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On October 8, Fr Granwell Pitapit, who had served as a priest for 20 years, filed his candidacy as mayor of Libmanan. He will run against current mayor Bernard Brioso.

“Such suspension is deemed irreversible, thus preventing him permanently from returning to the priestly ministry,” Bishop Rojas said in the circular.

However, although the priest is free to participate in secular activities or activities not related to the church, the said suspension still does not invalidate some of his vows as a priest, such as celibacy.

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Meanwhile, apart from Fr Pitapit, two other priests will participate in the political contest. One of them is Fr Emerson Luego of the Diocese of Tagum, who will run as mayor of Mabini town, Davao de Oro.

Fr Emmanuel Alparce will run as the town councilor of Bacacay in the province of Albay. Fr Alparce hails from Tabaco City and is currently in the Diocese of Sorsogon.


Close the Dolomite Beach – Binay

While the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) does not yet have clear regulations, Sen. Nancy Binay demanded the closure of Dolomite beach in Manila Bay.

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According to Binay, this is while the DENR does not have a clear system for people who go to such places.

The senator further asserted that frontliners in the health sector are working to control the spread of COVID-19 and its emerging variants, so it is strange that there are occasions or places where gatherings or gatherings of many people are encouraged.

On the other hand, Binay suggested that the national and local government units (LGUs) should learn a lesson from the influx of people to Dolomite beach.

In urban planning, it is necessary to include the open areas that people can access under the new standard economic stimulus.

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