The Year for Priests (June 2009-June 2010) as declared by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI officially ended last Sunday, June 13, coinciding with the closing of the Church’s observance of the Year of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

“The Year for Priests and the Year of the Two Hearts have been full of grace for us as a Catholic nation,” said Fr. Genaro Diwa, director of the Ministry for Liturgical Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila.

“During this special year, we intensely prayed for our priests, invoking the help of St. John Mary Vianney, the patron of priests,” he said. He cited the celebration of the second National Congress of the Clergy (NCC), which was referred to by its retreat master, Fr. Raneiro Cantalamessa, as “days of amazing grace.” The sacred relics of St. John arrived in the country for the celebration of the NCC.

Fr. Diwa said the clergy also drew “spiritual strength and inspiration” from the meaning and purpose of the special year during the May 10 national elections. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Unioil cuts prices, too
Filipino-owned independent oil company Unioil Petroleum Philippines made official on Tuesday a small rollback on their pump prices following a similar adjustment by bigger oil firms and fellow small players.

Unioil Corporate Communications Officer Leah Flor said in a text message that a price cut worth P0.50 a liter on regular gas and another P0.25 a liter on diesel and kerosene was imposed by the company at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

It was recalled that oil giants Petron Corp., Chevron Philippines and independent player Seaoil Philippines announced price reductions of the same increments on Monday night.

Chevron’s adjustment took effect at past midnight Tuesday while that of Petron and Seaoil were implemented also at 6 a.m. The price cut was the first by any oil firm since May, when petroleum prices were reduced five consecutive times.

Big and small oil companies jacked up prices by P1 a liter last June 8. No price tweak on fuel was imposed during the first week of the month.

Unioil, which has about 40 retail branches in Luzon, boasts of having the “cheapest fuel prices” in Metro Manila, although it is customary for competing oil firms to match each other’s prices based on the proximity of their respective branches. (Ellson A. Quismorio)

Unremitted share
The Commission on Audit (CoA) has taken to task the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for allegedly depriving government of much-needed funds to implement anti-drug abuse programs.

The PCSO, CoA said, failed last year to remit to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) its share on unclaimed and forfeited sweepstakes and lotto prizes as provided under Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Anti-Drug Abuse Law.

Under the law, the DDB is entitled to 10 percent of the total amount PCSO saved from unclaimed and forfeited prizes for its multi-million peso sweepstakes and lotto operations.

The minimum amount DDB must receive annually is P12 million. There are no estimates on how much unclaimed sweepstakes and lotto prizes the PCSO has kept last year but CoA said the DDB should be entitled to P12 million to help finance its anti-drug abuse projects.

The state-run lottery firm has failed to remit any amount to DDB last year for still unknown reasons, said Supervising Auditor Margarito Silot. (Ben Rosario)