IN DEFENSE. Former National Security Adviser Norberto “Norbie” Gonzales (left) says there is nothing wrong with the vaccination against Covid-19 of some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) but it should not have been made public. Also in photo during a media interview on Monday (Jan. 5, 2021) in Orani, Bataan are Bishop Ruperto Santos (center) and Fr. Perry Medina. (Photo by Ernie Esconde)
ORANI, Bataan – Former Department of National Defense Secretary Norberto “Norbie” Gonzales saw nothing wrong with the vaccination against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) of some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) but said it should have been kept secret.
“The only bad thing there is why it became public because the President's security is important to everyone around him. That is really one of the precautions to ensure that the President is safe,” Gonzales told reporters here on Monday.
The former National Security Adviser said the President should not be guarded by those who could cause him infections.
“What is difficult is that politically, it's not good for the people to know. It should have been kept secret. That should be within themselves. It is bad for our countrymen to hear because they might think that there are those who were first to be vaccinated,” he said.
“But for those who understand, it is important for those people surrounding the President. If there is a vaccination, they should be vaccinated to ensure the safety of our President,” he added.
Gonzales was at the 1.7-hectare Santuario Diocesano dela Sagrada Familia in Barangay Tala that he and his family donated to the Diocese of Balanga.
Gonzales and Bishop Ruperto Santos said the shrine in Tala will expand to more than 500 hectares in the surrounding areas at the foot of Mt. Natib.
Fr. Perry Medina said Bataan will soon become the Pilgrimage Center of the Philippines with the addition of the Sanctuario to Seven Pilgrim Churches in Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga City, Pilar and Orion.
There are also other shrines in Morong, Abucay and Hermosa.
The Bataan bishop said the Orani shrine belongs to all and made for Bataan.
“Ito ay ating ginawa para sa Bataan at ito ngayon ay ating regalo sa Inang Simbahan na magse-celebrate ng 500 years kaya angkinin natin na ito ay para sa atin at alay natin. Ipagmalaki natin at ipagpasalamat sa Diyos, kay Secretary Gonzales at sa kanyang pamilya at sa barangay Tala (This was done for Bataan and it is now our gift to the mother church that will celebrate 500 years so let us claim that it is for us and our offering. Let us be proud and thank God, Secretary Gonzales and his family and barangay Tala),” Santos said. (PNA)
