Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday urged Christian church leaders and pastors to be united in bringing about the reformation of society, saying this can happen through “transformational leadership” and “purpose-driven governance.”
Speaking to a thousand pastors and leaders in a fellowship event in Baguio City, Cayetano said national transformation can only start from individuals acknowledging their need to change their ways.
“Unang una na kailangan natin is revival of the heart, meaning ‘yung individual muna kailangan magbago,” he said in his message to the School of Church Ministry on Thursday morning, January 12, 2023.
“Parang sa programs para sa mga addict lang po iyan. Walang addict na gagaling kung hindi niya aaminin. By knowing and admitting, matutulungan ka na. Wala pong kaibahan ‘yun sa transformation,” he added.
Cayetano, who is known to advocate a faith-based leadership, noted that no one is exempt from this since everyone makes mistakes and needs to repent. The good news, he said, is that there is forgiveness in God.
“Gusto namin mapakita na may forgiveness at ang Panginoong Diyos ay kaya tayong baguhin. At kapag binago tayo hindi naman nagiging ‘sinless’, but we sin less,” he said.
To the churches, he highlighted the significant role they play in reforming society as people look up to the unity and example believers in living a transformed life.
“Kung ‘yung mga church in one part of the country will humble themselves and pray, pero sa ibang bahagi ng bansa ay nag-compromise na sa sins ng mundo, hindi natutupad yung dominion mandate ni God. This is why unity is so important in the body of believers,” he said.
Once people change for the better, along with the unity of believers in the country, Cayetano said national transformation becomes imminent.
“Kapag na-revive ‘yung heart ng individuals, kapag na-restore ang church at nagiging example for transformation, nagiging ‘city on a hill’ at ‘salt and light’, na-tratrabaho natin ang pagbabago sa society,” the senator said.
He added, “If the world tells us we can’t do it, but God tells us to do it, who do we believe? God!”
Purpose-driven governance in Taguig
Cayetano said transformational leadership is possible as what is currently happening in his home city of Taguig.
“Ni-lead po tayo lahat ng Lord – ang iba’t ibang denomination po sa Taguig na labanan ang pagtatayo ng casino, at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) – kahit gaano kapangyarihan at kalaking pera iyon,” he said.
Standing up with their conviction, Cayetano and the local leadership instead immersed in prayer the progress of then-municipality of Taguig.
“Very clear ang picture sa isipan namin noon. Pinag-pi-pray po namin na umunlad ang Taguig,” he said.
Cayetano said the fruits of the prayers they have sown from decades ago are now bearing fruit with the current successes of the city.
“Noong araw po kapag sinabi mong Taguig, ang sagot? ‘Saan iyon?’ Iyon ang binabaha lagi sa Metro Manila. Kasi minsan, kapag bumagyo ng October hanggang January, may tubig pa,” he said.
The senator recounted a time many Taguig residents had to rely on relief goods and the local pastoral movement had to ask for collection to help those affected by calamities.
“Dineclare namin na balang araw, magiging isang bayan kami na kami talaga ang donor at tumutulong. Lately na-realize namin na ‘yung nating ginawa 10 to 20 years ago, bigla na ngayon namunga. Na-realize ko na hindi lamang yumaman ang Taguig. Ngayon kami na ang donors sa mga bumabaha, hindi na rin kami binabaha,” he said.
Cayetano also shared that the area where gambling operators wanted to build casinos is now the place for the new City Hall and the Taguig Convention Center.
“May bago kaming City Hall na under construction pa pero gawa na ang ballroom at maliit na convention. Doon ginawa ang pagtanggap ng tax ngayong taon. And dinededicate namin ito kay Lord,” he said.
Cayetano also commended the pastoral movement in Taguig who helped them transform the local politics.
“Pastors played a big role in the transformation of politics in Taguig. Sila po ay gumawa ng module kasama ng pastoral movement na purpose-driven governance para ipamulat sa tao ang tama,” he said.
As a call to action, Cayetano urged everyone, not just church leaders, to take part in leading transformation.
“Kung ikaw ay government official, ikaw ang minister o pastor sa hinahawakan mong opisina,” he said. ###
