MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor in chief
OZAMIZ CITY--Press Secretary Jesus “Jess” Dureza says he is a prayerful man and he prays a lot, in light manner and reciting them all from the recesses of his heart.
One time, when he was asked to pray at the start of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, he prayed something that sparked speculations in the media that he was calling on President Gloria Arroyo to serve beyond 2010.
Dureza explained during a one-on-one interview with DxOC anchor and NUJP-Ozamiz President Jovencio Godoy Jr. that such a prayer said was not intended to suggest something.
He said that Tuesday morning was his schedule to deliver the prayer before the Cabinet meeting and that he lost the piece of paper where he encoded his prayer so he delivered a spontaneous one.
In fact, Dureza said his opening lines were: “Lord please forgive me since I have forgotten the text of my prayer.”
Then he continued reciting a series of petitions asking for blessing “for the burdens of affairs of the state and its officials,” including US president-elect Barack Obama to return a call to the president.
“Nakita nako nga nangatawa ang tanan although it was really from the heart,” Dureza explained.
But he added that he was misinterpreted when he delivered his punchline: “Bless the president so that she will have the tolerance, the good health to lead this nation until 2010, and who knows beyond... in her private and personal capacity”, which he was not able to complete.
At this point, cameras have already caught Arroyo’s expression change, glaring at Dureza, muttering “Oh my God!” then covering her face with her hands.
Malacañang critics said they were not surprised on Dureza’s controversial prayer, saying the Palace did it on purpose “as a trial balloon,” in its efforts to push through with its Charter Change plans.”
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz also commented on Dureza’s prayer, saying, “It betrayed Palace’s Charter-change plans, only this time going to a more brazen stage.”
Admitting later the president chided him for his humor, Dureza confessed in the interview with Godoy: “I think it was a lapse of judgment on my part.”
Asked on whether he learned something from that experience, Dureza said that he learned a thing or two but he would still keep on praying.
“That’s me, eh, when I pray to God I talk to him as a friend dili anang mga lawom nga pulong, which is sometimes not appropriate for certain occasions,” he said.
What if he is asked again next time to pray in another Cabinet meeting?
“Ako na lang ingnon nga ‘lets all bow our heads in prayer and let’s all say in the silence of our own hearts. Ana na lang, kanya-kanya na lang ta’g pray,” was his reply, smiling.
Before ending his interview, Dureza left a prayer for Ozamiz City, upon the request of Godoy. “Let’s pray to the Lord that he will bless Ozamiz City for being endowed with good natural resources and people.”
“For the leaders, with each having his own political interests and agenda, we pray for them to be good [for the benefit] of the whole community.”
“Let's pray that we will survive and be united with the impending financial crisis next year. Let us pray for the President again that she will continue serving up to 2010 and beyond, in her private and personal capacity, like former presidents Ramos and Aquino who continued to serve with their own competence. Amen,” Dureza concluded.
“Ang prayer diay is very powerful it can get the attention of the nation, nakutaw tanan,” he beams.
Editor in chief
OZAMIZ CITY--Press Secretary Jesus “Jess” Dureza says he is a prayerful man and he prays a lot, in light manner and reciting them all from the recesses of his heart.
One time, when he was asked to pray at the start of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, he prayed something that sparked speculations in the media that he was calling on President Gloria Arroyo to serve beyond 2010.
Dureza explained during a one-on-one interview with DxOC anchor and NUJP-Ozamiz President Jovencio Godoy Jr. that such a prayer said was not intended to suggest something.
He said that Tuesday morning was his schedule to deliver the prayer before the Cabinet meeting and that he lost the piece of paper where he encoded his prayer so he delivered a spontaneous one.
In fact, Dureza said his opening lines were: “Lord please forgive me since I have forgotten the text of my prayer.”
Then he continued reciting a series of petitions asking for blessing “for the burdens of affairs of the state and its officials,” including US president-elect Barack Obama to return a call to the president.
“Nakita nako nga nangatawa ang tanan although it was really from the heart,” Dureza explained.
But he added that he was misinterpreted when he delivered his punchline: “Bless the president so that she will have the tolerance, the good health to lead this nation until 2010, and who knows beyond... in her private and personal capacity”, which he was not able to complete.
At this point, cameras have already caught Arroyo’s expression change, glaring at Dureza, muttering “Oh my God!” then covering her face with her hands.
Malacañang critics said they were not surprised on Dureza’s controversial prayer, saying the Palace did it on purpose “as a trial balloon,” in its efforts to push through with its Charter Change plans.”
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz also commented on Dureza’s prayer, saying, “It betrayed Palace’s Charter-change plans, only this time going to a more brazen stage.”
Admitting later the president chided him for his humor, Dureza confessed in the interview with Godoy: “I think it was a lapse of judgment on my part.”
Asked on whether he learned something from that experience, Dureza said that he learned a thing or two but he would still keep on praying.
“That’s me, eh, when I pray to God I talk to him as a friend dili anang mga lawom nga pulong, which is sometimes not appropriate for certain occasions,” he said.
What if he is asked again next time to pray in another Cabinet meeting?
“Ako na lang ingnon nga ‘lets all bow our heads in prayer and let’s all say in the silence of our own hearts. Ana na lang, kanya-kanya na lang ta’g pray,” was his reply, smiling.
Before ending his interview, Dureza left a prayer for Ozamiz City, upon the request of Godoy. “Let’s pray to the Lord that he will bless Ozamiz City for being endowed with good natural resources and people.”
“For the leaders, with each having his own political interests and agenda, we pray for them to be good [for the benefit] of the whole community.”
“Let's pray that we will survive and be united with the impending financial crisis next year. Let us pray for the President again that she will continue serving up to 2010 and beyond, in her private and personal capacity, like former presidents Ramos and Aquino who continued to serve with their own competence. Amen,” Dureza concluded.
“Ang prayer diay is very powerful it can get the attention of the nation, nakutaw tanan,” he beams.