Bribery of Bishops denied 
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By: Father Shay Cullen
A heated row between Philippine Catholic church leaders and the head of State over alleged bribes given to bishops to influence their vote about the impeachment of the president has created turmoil. Last July 14 and 15 news emerged that several Philippine bishops had been passed envelopes stuffed with thousands of pesos allegedly coming from the office of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The palace denied any bribery attempt. Some bishops said they believed that the cash stuffed envelops were more than gifts to relieve poverty in their dioceses but was attempted bribery. In response, the justice secretary Raul Gonzales was quoted as saying “The people who said that are dirty-minded .They should first inquire about the purpose why such assistance is given, if it is given for a noble purpose, why not.” Some bishops agreed with that, Bishop Precioso Cantillas of Maasin, Leyte said such help is not a bribe but a way for the government to alleviate poverty.
A leading Bishop, Jose Manguiran of Dipolog diocese said, he was given two cash filled envelopes on the eve of the crucial meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which was to discuss the pending impeachment of the President.
“They were trying to bribe the bishops …it was shameless”. He returned the money with a covering letter. Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, CBCP vice-president was also given an envelope with cash but he told a reporter that he refused it. It was during a meeting between ten bishops and government secretaries on current issues such as the anti-mining campaign, sex education in schools and the environment that more money was passed to the bishops.
Bishop Pedro Arigo from Palawan, reported that he was given an envelope with 20,000 pesos. Another bishop was also given an envelope into his hand on the day of the vote regarding whether the bishops would support the impeachment movement against the president. Bishop Deogracias Iniquez of Caloocan, Metro Manila had filed an impeachment charge together with several similar charges from opposition groups. The bishop’s statement finally said, among other things, that the CBCP was not inclined to support the movement to impeach the president.
The role of the legendary Cardinal Jaime Sin in toppling the tyrant Ferdinand Marcos and the election of Corazon Aquino as president in 1986 a staunch catholic gave the Catholic Church a dynamic and influential role in deciding the fate of Philippine presidents.
Another church supported People Power movement in January 2001 forced President Joseph Estrada from power and the swearing in the vice president Arroyo sealed the perception of the church as a King (or queen) maker in Philippine politics.
The elections of 2004 confirmed President Macapagal-Arroyo in power but she has been besieged with attempted coups, an election scandal that accused her of massive cheating, ignoring widespread corruption, and a failed attempt to impeach her in 2005. A new one is now pending. Hence the Bishop's position on the latest impeachment attempt is crucial for the beleaguered President.
What most Filipinos can’t understand is why the Philippines, a resource rich Catholic country, is so corrupt and mired in poverty bringing misery to millions. Has the Church's moral teaching, education, and leadership failed, they ask? Many want the bishops to be a united strong outspoken voice of moral authority and not to use their moral influence to play politics.
Some bishops are struggling to find themselves and discover a meaning to their ministry in the convoluted Philippines of today. A few find it too challenging and difficult to work for the liberation of the oppressed, and too frightening to challenge the rich and powerful and speak out forcibly against the death squads and other evils. They prefer quite diplomacy. For many Filipinos it is too quite. Some Bishops are so traditional that they seem to believe that working for social justice is advocating socialism and that’s too close to communism.
There are bishops who are greatly admired and revered as Christ like, true prophetic voices of the poor declaring the poor blessed and that the Kingdom is for them. They challenge the wealthy elite of Government to protect the family and the environment, save the indigenous people from exploitation and mining. They fight for justice and truth and refuse to take government donations from the casinos. To be truly Christian is to imitate Christ and that means taking an uncompromising stand for justice and truth – come what may. [End]
