A senior priest of the Archdiocese of Manila has assailed online disinformation claiming Cardinal Jose Advincula accepted a bag of money from then House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Speaking during a Simbang Gabi Mass at Manila Cathedral on Friday, the cathedral’s rector, Msgr. Rolando dela Cruz, said social media posts circulating the allegation are false.
The posts suggest the Church had been compromised and was therefore restrained from criticizing Romualdez, who has been implicated in a controversy involving flood control projects.
Dela Cruz said the claim stemmed from a Mass at the cathedral in July marking the opening of the 20th Congress, presided over by Advincula and attended by several lawmakers, including Romualdez.
After the Mass, Romualdez approached the altar and handed the cardinal a small case as a gesture of thanksgiving, the priest said.
“That case did not contain millions of pesos,” Dela Cruz said. “What was inside was a chalice used for the Mass.”
He urged Catholics to exercise discernment and verify information before sharing it, especially content that could harm reputations or sow distrust.
“When you see these things online, ask yourself: Is this correct? Is this true?” dela Cruz said. “That is not true.”
The homily came amid broader public frustration over corruption, which Dela Cruz acknowledged by raising questions about the use of public funds and the accountability of public officials.
The homily came amid broader public frustration over corruption, which Dela Cruz acknowledged by raising questions about the use of public funds and accountability of officials.
But he stressed that such concerns should not lead people to accept unverified accusations.
“Those are the questions we must ask,” he said, “but let us not immediately believe what we hear; we need to ask questions.”
