In a powerful message during the Fiesta Señor celebrations, Cebu Archbishop Alberto "Abet" Uy issued a stark warning against the divisive nature of personality-driven politics, stating it continues to weaken social unity and hinder genuine progress.
A Call for Unity Rooted in Faith, Not Party Loyalty
Archbishop Uy delivered his homily during the Pontifical Mass at 6:00 AM on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. This marked his first time leading the Fiesta Señor celebration as Archbishop of Cebu since his installation in September of the previous year.
Addressing the congregation, the Archbishop emphasized that unity becomes harmful when it is formed solely on party loyalty rather than shared faith and principles. He explained that political divisions often lead people to reject good initiatives from opponents while excusing the mistakes of their allies.
The Damaging Effects of Divisive Politics
"When joy is shared, it becomes doubled. When grief is shared, it is cut into half," Archbishop Uy stated. "But if we are not united, the easy becomes difficult, and the difficult becomes extremely hard."
He noted that this characteristic is detrimental to both governance and the wider community. The Archbishop pointed out that a lack of unity among government leaders directly results in societal suffering. "Too much politicking is a major reason why we have not progressed until now," he asserted.
He critiqued the common political mindset: "If the president is not from our party, we see nothing good. Everything he does, we criticize. Even if it's good, we condemn it because he's from the opposing party." Conversely, he added, "But if he is from our party, we see nothing wrong. Even if the action is wrong and ugly, we defend it because he is our ally. That is very ugly."
Embracing the Fiesta Theme: "In Santo Niño, We Are One"
Aligning with the Fiesta Señor theme, "In Santo Niño, We Are One," Archbishop Uy championed a unity rooted in faith. He stressed that this kind of unity allows a community to share both joy and suffering, thereby lightening life's burdens.
He contrasted this with division, which magnifies difficulties and creates further fragmentation. The Archbishop warned that when the motive is to destroy, even unity can become dangerous.
He concluded with a direct appeal, urging political and government leaders to set aside partisan interests and collaborate for the welfare of Cebu. "Let us encourage our political and government leaders to unite and work together for the good of Cebu," he said, guided by the inspiring ideals of the Santo Niño.
