Villar receives Cebu Cardinal Vidal’s blessing

CEBU CITY – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr. on Saturday sought and received blessing from Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. “I’m happy he found time to see me. I know he was always really kind," Cardinal Vidal told reporters after a meeting with Villar at the Archbishop’s Palace in Cebu City. Asked what his message for Villar was, Vidal answered that he told the presidential candidate to “keep well your health and pray to the Lord." Both Vidal and Villar clarified that the meeting should not be misunderstood as an endorsement for the May polls. “He visited because he is an old friend, ever since he was in government, especially when he became President of the Senate," Vidal said. On the other hand, Villar said he was only seeking Vidal’s ‘blessing’ and not an endorsement for his candidacy. “Hindi ako humingi ng endorsement dahil si Cardinal ay isa sa pinakamataas na spiritual leader ng Catholic Church sa ating bansa (I did not seek for an endorsement because the Cardinal is one of the highest spiritual leaders of the Catholic Church in the country)," Villar said. “Sapat na sa akin na ipagdasal niya ako at ang ating misyon (It is enough that he prays for me and my mission)," he added. Before meeting with Vidal, Villar and his ticket visited the Opon Public Market in Lapu-Lapu City, as well as a residential area in Barangay Suba in Cebu City. With Villar were his ticket’s senatorial candidates Gilbert Remulla, Adel Tamano, Satur Ocampo, L iza Maza, Susan Ople and Gwen Pimentel. Detained Col. Ariel Querubin, another NP senatorial bet, was represented by his son, Martin. NP vice-presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda earlier in the day visited the Carbon Public Market in Cebu City, but had to fly back to Manila for a prior appointment. — LBG,GMANews.TV