MANILA, August 4, 2009- The head of Manila's Roman Catholic Church on Monday thinks that the Philippines needs another Corazon Aquino to unite the Filipino people.
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said the country needs a leader that could unite the country like what the former president did in 1986 that ended Marcos' dictatorship.
Right now, he believes the country needs a righteous leader more than someone with outstanding academic backgrounds.
He said that it seems that people have often looked at the competencies of the leaders while failing to check whether or not they have genuine heart to serve the country.
While skills are is important, the cardinal said that the country's leaders should primarily have the strength of character to battle problems in the government.
The way people reacted yesterday while Aquino's remains was being transferred to the Manila Cathedral only showed how much she is adored by the public, he said.
"Thanks God for Corazon Aquino. She is the most appreciated, most respected and most loved president we ever had," he said.
Cardinal Rosales added that it only means that the Filipinos are longing for a leader with character like that of Aquino.
"It happened only once before and that's during Ninoy's death and now it's being repeated for Cory," he said.
The church leader said government leaders should follow the good examples of Ninoy and Cory who served for the interest of the people.
"The kind of characters that Ninoy and Cory have is exactly what the people have been looking for," Cardinal Rosales said. "Those who don't have it should not run." (Roy Lagarde)