CEBU CITY -- Outgoing Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal was formally presented a commendation from the Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday.
The senators, headed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, gave Vidal a copy of Senate Resolution 306, honoring Vidal for his work as a peacekeeper, Monday afternoon.
Vidal turned to Representative Rachel "Cutie" del Mar, who accompanied him, to say, "It's the first time I received such honor."
The representatives, through House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., also presented Vidal a copy of House Resolution 53, which del Mar authored.
Del Mar filed the resolution honoring Vidal last November 9 and this was approved by the House on December 1.
Del Mar immediately met with Enrile, hoping the senator could author a parallel resolution.
Enrile, who considers himself a good friend of Vidal, told a staffer to draft the resolution.
Del Mar said she wanted both resolutions passed before both Houses adjourned later this week for the Christmas break.
Sessions will resume on January 17, or four days after Vidal formally retires as Cebu archbishop.
The House resolution lauded Vidal, Cebu's archbishop for almost three decades, for his service to the Cebuanos, "providing spiritual leadership and inspiration, helping the community survive crises and conflicts, and often acting as peacekeeper, giving the voice of moderation amid clashing views either in the local or national scene."
"His intercession in such crises as military coups, labor disputes, evictions of squatters and vendors, clashes of political camps, and threats of injustices has avoided bloodshed and brought peace by coaxing contenders to agree on peaceful options and alternatives," del Mar's resolution read.
The House resolution also noted how Vidal tapped the people and the resources of the archdiocese to help the poor.
Vidal was also honored for his stance on the preservation of heritage structures and relics.
"Vidal will leave his post after having clearly and indisputably earned without seeking it the reputation of being an exceptional leader whose acts of charity and compassion and pleas for peace and moderation have made him an outstandingly valuable citizen," the resolution read.
Del Mar said she told Vidal how much she appreciated his deeds and how much she will miss him, to which the Cardinal answered, "I'm just doing my job." (JGA
