Philippine Cardinal Jaime L. Sin Dies at 76

"First of all," he said, "my name is bad."

The cardinal was born into a religious family, of Filipino and Chinese descent, in Aklan province. His country, with about 80 million people, is a stronghold of Catholicism in Southeast Asia, part of its heritage from the Spanish colonial period.

Jaime Sin was ordained as a priest in his mid-twenties and rose through the hierarchy to become bishop, archbishop and, in 1976, cardinal.

Although he had showed considerable ability early in his church career, some accounts indicated that in his early days in Manila, he showed little sign of his later opposition to the regime. But he was credited with vigorously resisting government attempts to raid a seminary in search of reputed political dissidents.

For years, his formal policy toward Marcos was described as one of "critical collaboration." While he refrained from condemnation of the regime, it was said, the cardinal nevertheless accorded himself the right to criticize, and he used it.

Objecting to inequality and opposing corruption, he was known as a voice of morality to Catholic communities throughout Southeast Asia.

As events reached their climax in the Philippines and an election was suddenly called, he admonished both Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda, that holding on to power through fraudulent balloting schemes would be "unforgivable."

Sometime after the revolt that brought Aquino to power, the cardinal redefined his position on the government. While he still could be critical, his policy had become "critical solidarity."

The installation of Aquino did not bring to an end the cardinal's willingness to involve himself in political issues, especially those with a moral component.

He took issue at vital junctures with Aquino's successor, Fidel Ramos, and he later was influential in expelling the man who followed Ramos, Joseph Estrada. Estrada, who was the target of corruption charges, was ousted in 2001 after being impeached by the Congress.

"May God show him the heroic value of relinquishing his post for the sake of our people," the cardinal said.

In explaining his willingness to intervene in politics, he said the church "cannot proclaim eternal salvation to our flock when we are blind to the physical realities which deny them that very salvation here on earth."

Cardinal Sin retired after submitting the compulsory resignation letter at age 75.

"I have given my very best to God and country," he said in a statement. "I beg pardon from those I might have led astray or hurt. Please remember me kindly."