ARCHBISHOP Alberto Uy of Cebu has urged organizers of this year’s Sinulog Festival to reject donations and sponsorships from gambling-related industries, warning that such support threatens the religious integrity of one of the country’s most important faith celebrations.
Uy, a member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that Sinulog is, above all, a religious feast honoring the Santo Niño, not merely a cultural showcase or tourism-driven event.
He warned that allowing sacred celebrations to be funded by gambling-linked entities risks creating scandal and eroding the Church’s moral credibility.
“It is, above all, a religious celebration, rooted in our faith and centered on the Child Jesus. Its spiritual meaning must be preserved, protected, and respected,” the prelate said.
Uy cited the social costs associated with gambling, including addiction, family breakdown, and financial hardship, particularly among the poor and most vulnerable sectors of society.
“We cannot ask the Santo Niño to bless our families while inviting support from industries that have, in many cases, contributed to family breakdown and poverty,” he said.
