Bishops condole with victims of Makati blast

The country's Catholic bishops offered prayers and condolences to the victims and relatives of Friday's explosion in Makati City that killed eight people and injured at least 80 others. "We express our condolences to the victims and their families who suffered from the explosion at the Glorietta mall in Makati City," a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said. "We pray that such occurrence from whatever cause will not happen again," it added. CBCP president Angel Lagdameo said the explosion has diverted the nation’s focus and added up to the “common national problems" seeking a satisfactory solution. Lagdameo called on Filipinos to pray for the solution of the country's problems. Earlier this week, Lagdameo lamented what he called the "moral bankruptcy" of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. “[The] explosion diverts our concentration and adds up to our common national problems that are crying for satisfactory solution. We invite everybody to join us in praying for the solution of the many crises that our country is facing today," Lagdameo said. - GMANews.TV