by Gerard Naval
Malaya
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines yesterday backed a Senate investigation on the Palace “payoffs” as contained in Resolution 172 filed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Monday.
MANILA, October 16, 2007—The Catholic bishops’ leadership has backed calls for an official investigation into allegations of bribery by the Malacañang.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, in a statement Tuesday, said the matter had to be cleared up.The bribery accusations allege that the government paid congressmen and local public officials after their meeting with President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo recently to win support.
Arroyo critics said the “cash gifts” ranging from P200,000 to P500,000 were tied to the impeachment complaint against her.
Lagdameo said such scandal, if proven true, only shows the current administration’s moral bankruptcy.
“With this sort of thing happening, our country is not only suffering from economic bankruptcy but also moral bankruptcy, disappointingly being shown by our leaders,” he said.
“I encourage and support the plan of our respectable senators to make the appropriate inquiry on the matter of distributing said cash gifts,” he added.
The prelate also said something is fishy into the alleged paying-off to government officials among whom is priest turned politician Pampanga governor Ed Panlilio.
“What was the purpose of the cash gifts? Where did they come from? Who was the personal source of the cash? Were they for local government projects? Were they for the forthcoming Barangay Elections? Why were they distributed only to pro-administration local officials? Why not also to the opposition? Who ultimately will profit from these cash gifts? Are they really gifts or bribes?” Lagdameo asked.
The CBCP head also warned those officials who accepted the huge amount of money from Malacañang.
From the moral standpoint, said Lagdameo, one should not accept money about which questions can be asked because it renders responsibility, accountability, and transparency a dubious subject matter.
“Bribery is not an acceptable word even to culprits: so, it is better called “gifts.” And so, in order to feel good and escape the blame of conscience, …bribe is also called a ‘gift,’” he said.
“Our country is not only suffering from economic bankruptcy but also moral bankruptcy, disappointingly being shown by our leaders,” CBCP president Angel Lagdameo said.
Lagdameo, archbishop of Jaro, Iloilo, noted the decision of Malacañang to use the word “gift” instead of its actual “appearance” as being a “bribe.”
“Bribery is not an acceptable word even to culprits. In order to feel good and escape the blame of conscience, bribe is also called a gift,” the bishop said.
Lagdameo said it is morally wrong to accept bribes especially when it involves questionable issues on the accountability and transparency of the “gifts.”
“Ang totoong issue sa sinasabing moral bankruptcy ay yung acts ng Malacañang to bribe local officials,” CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said.
Lagdameo said it is better to clarify the circumstances involving the distribution of cash through a congressional investigation.
At least two governors, including Fr. Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga and Joselito Mendoza of Bulacan, have admitted having received P200,000 to P500,000.
Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Oscar Cruz said the alleged payoffs are definite proof that Arroyo is hell-bent on staying on by “any means possible.”
Lacson said Panlilio and Mendoza will be invited to the Senate inquiry.
He appealed to other local officials and congressmen who may have received cash gifts to come out and testify.
“May inter-parliamentary courtesy tayo (in the case of congressmen) pero kung gusto nila mag-volunteer they can come forward,” Lacson said.
Some 190 administration congressmen reportedly received P200,000 to P500,000 after a meeting with Arroyo in Malacañang Thursday.
About 40 provincial governors reportedly received P200,000 to P500,000 while several mayors received smaller amounts after a separate meeting with the President at the Palace on the same day.
Lacson and Sen. Francis Escudero urged the two governors to keep the money intact as they said this would be important evidence that money changed hands.
Lacson said the paper band used to hold together the bundles of P1,000 bills given to Panlilio and Mendoza may give a clue on whether the “cash gifts” were government or private money.
The Land Bank is a government-run bank through which government funds are usually disbursed, he said.
Escudero said the serial numbers on the bills could give Senate probers a clue where the money came from.
“Sa totoo lang yung mga bundle at balot ng pera puwede nating i-trace kung saan nanggaling yang perang yan, saang bangko nanggaling, sino ang nag-withdraw,” he said.
Escudero said the bribery that took place inside the Malacañang grounds demonstrated the “disrespect” given by those involved toward the institution.
Lacson said Malacañang may have also violated the Revised Penal Code on bribery and the code of ethical standards for government officials.
“Maski anong anggulo … walang susuotan talaga. Maski sabihing campaign contributions, bakit ibibigay sa governor, samantalang ito non-partisan dapat ang (barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan) election,” he said.
But Escudero suggested that the Senate allow the Ombudsman to first investigate the “payoff.”
“Trabaho ng Ombudsman dapat imbestigahan ito. Pagkakataon ito na sana ay hindi sayangin ng ating Ombudsman,” he said.
Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel said the distribution of huge sums of money to the congressmen and local chief executives by Malacañang without any accompanying disbursement papers is enough to show that a bribe was given.
“Given the circumstances behind the distribution of the money, it is obviously intended to buy support for the President in the face of new impeachment moves against her,” Pimentel said.
HOUSE TO PROBE ‘PAYOFF’
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño sponsored House resolution 288 urging the committee on ethics and good government to jointly or separately investigate the Palace “payoff” last Thursday.
Casiño said: “We can always ask them (administration lawmakers who are committee leaders) to inhibit.”
He said members of the minority bloc could move to assume the role of committee leaders and members.
The ethics panel is chaired by Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona. Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo heads the good government panel.
Madrona admitted he was at the meeting but said he was not offered money because he left early.
The committee on ethics could impose a penalty which ranges from reprimand, suspension to expulsion. Any decision should be upheld by the House in plenary by a two-thirds vote.
The Madrona panel can only investigate unethical practices. The good government panel can exercise jurisdiction over allegations of graft and corruption against other government officials.
Casiño said the revelation of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran that Kampi deputy secretary general Francis Ver attempted to bribe him P2 million to endorse the “weak” impeachment complaint against the President could be investigated simultaneously with the new bribery issue.
The resolution said: “There is a need for Congress to uncover all the facts amid allegations, to ferret out the whole truth regarding the alleged bribery attempts, to pursue legal actions deemed appropriate regarding the said circumstances, and to hold accountable all those responsible for any wrongdoing.”
The resolution said such “unexplained cash disbursements and their receipt by public officials” are violations of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code and Conduct of Ethical Standards of Public Officials, the Revised Penal Code, the annual General Appropriations Act, and Presidential Decree 46 of 1972 which prohibits public officials and employees to receive gifts from private individuals on any occasion, including Christmas. – With JP Lopez and Wendell Vigilia
Hypocrites. That’s what they are, these Bishops. CBCP has no credibility and moral authority to join the fray. Dahil ba isa sa kanila, isang paring si Gov. Panlilio ang nabigyan at nagbulgar? What about those bishops who received the white envelopes? Did they return the money? Anong pagkaiba ng mga pulitiko sa mga paring iyan? Do we see any difference between these Bishops and politicians? NO !
Tama ka pechanco, mga hypocrites yang mga paring iyan lalo na sina Lagdameo at Villegas. Ilan lang ang natitirang may moral tulad ni archbishop Oscar Cruz, Fr. Orbos, Fr. Sonny Ramirez. Yung mga paring may mataas na katungkulan ay wala na ring aasahang moralidad dahil minsan ay napo-promote din sila dahil namumulitika sa loob ng kaparian. Maraming mga qualified na pari ang dapat sana ay mga arsobispo na. The bible says:
Matthew 23:25 – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”
Unless our moral guardians would start the change and do the right thing in the eyes of God, then, maybe our country will be save from the evils of Gloria and her syndicates. Kapangyarihan ng kasamaan ang naghahari sa ating bayan dahil ang mga leaders ay mga kampon ng kadiliman! God have mercy on our country! Save us from all evils!
Well, the Bishops can also feel where the wind is blowing. Maybe now the can visualize the beginning of the End of the Arroyo Autocracy, the are preparing themselves for the new “era” where they will maintain their standing in any future administration..they are smart too, you know..
O baka naman nagpaparinig lang ang mga Bishops sa Malacanang?
They could be sending a message “What about us? Where’s our cash gifts?”.
Relax! Malapit na ang Pasko. Siyempre may pamasko galing kay Gloria para sa mga obispo.
Flash Report: Rep. Beltran was hurt when his car was hit by another car. Ka Bel suspects it was to eliminate him. Hindi na itong bagong paraan para patayin ang kaaway. Puwedeng banggain ang sasakyan mo. Ka Bel’s passenger side where he was seated was badly damaged. Hindi ba ito din ang hinala ng marami sa nangyari kay Princess Dianne? It’s a simple way to kill…palalabasin car accident. Let’s pray that Ka Bel recovers soon.
Nag-uumpisa na ako ng Rosary…pray ko na bago matapos ang fifth mystery…tapos na rin reign of BRIBERY ni GMA!
Gaudencio Rosales lips are sealed with $$$$ from Gloria Pidal. Hindi siya magsasalita tungkol dito, baka wala ng isunod na padala si Kwin Korap sa kanya thru his niece Medyprencia Poblador.
My fave Bishop Soc is tameme na, tinahi na rin ni Kwin Korap ang bibig!
Puro imbestigasyon lang naman ang Senado at Congress ng Pilipinas, wala namang nangyayari lalo na kung puro palabas din sila. Ang aga-aga pa nangangampanya na para sa 2010 election.
Iyong tunay naman na nakikibaka, unfortunately, wala namang ibubuga dahil hindi rin sila sigurado sa utak ng mga taumbayan, and worse, gaya nga ng sabi ng marami dito, mga walang yagbols!!!
Nakakasawa na ang mga imbestigasyon ito na tapos tinutulugan naman. Dapat tinatapos na nila for instance itong ZTE/NBN at hulihin na ang mga involved saka ipasok ang mga ginawang iba pang mga kabalbalan gaya nitong early Christmas gift ng kriminal.
Sana nakikita talaga ng mga kaparian ang moral bankruptcy ni glorya. At huwag na nilang tantanan kung totoo ang kanilang pahayag.
Pero ang higit nilang tingnan, ang bankruptcy ng National Treasury dahilan sa katatakot takot na kurakutan at itong huli, ang walang habas na pamimigay ng pera ng bayan.
puro lang naman salita ang mga nasa cbcp. kung talagang morally corrupt na ang gobyerno, lalo na si gloria, di dapat, huwag na nilang bigyan ng hostiya pag mag-communion!
CBCP who? or should it be “CBCP? Ano yun?”
When will the CBCP wake up to the reality that it is no longer relevant, it is “walang nang silbi”? No Filipino takes the CBCP seriously. Their bishops have lost influence on the Filipino Catholics.
If the bishops were still influential, how come they cannot help eradicate jueteng and corruption? The bishops are no longer persuasive enough.
Dapat sibakin ang mga obispo sa mga lugar na meron pang jueteng. Unang una na diyan si Oscar Cruz, na walang magawa sa jueteng sa lugar nya.
Bishop Lagdameo: I know I should be addressing you as Your Grace as a good catholic should, which I am not, simply because to me the hierarchy in the Philippine Catholic Church is a disgrace..particularly in the Arch of Manila..just in case you forgot..the responsorial Psalm at the liturgy of Oct. 15 the feast of St. Theresa of Avila, doctor of the church was “the judgments of the Lord are true..they are all just.” In view of what you have said–this is my prayer Psalm 12: “Help us, Lord! There is not a good person person left; honest people can no longer be found.” Mayroon pa ba sa simbahang catholico? I no longer wonder why many catholics leave the church..do you? what do you teach in your CCD? What do you teach about morality..if you said that there is moral bankruptcy in our leaders..kasama ka sa leaders..”thou shalt not steal.” but don’t do what the priests do..sayang na maraming “isda” na nakaalpas from your “net”..fishers of men..a good shepherd? Jesus said my sheep knows my voice. Do they know yours? sa itaas may nagsabi maraming bishops ay wala nang silbi..Your Eminence wake up to reality..Incidentally, ang asawa ni GMA claims that their ancestry is from Avila, thus may lahi silang pagka santo. really? ang tiya niyang madre is up for saintlihood..something to do with what she did in Asilo de Molo (sakop mo yon) Ang lungkot!
Press release is not enough. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) statement on bribery issue should be followed by Pastoral Letter condemning Gloria Arroyo’s moral bankruptcy.
Bakit? di ba sila nabigyan?
Mas malakas ang decibel ng Eat Bilika at Kawowolilly!
What CBCP should do is not merely condemning PGMA for her illegit acts thru press releases. I would rather advise these Holy Bishops to lead a vast prayer rally within the vicinity of Malacanang so that all evil deeds are washed out or even wash away the illegal tenant of that very respectable place. Please please Holy Bishops, do something about it, action is far better effective to attain something that is morally right. Holy Bishops, are you not alarmed by the series of deceit by only one woman. Kayo na lang ang pag asa ng bayan, you have the moral ground to do what is right for our country. HOW I WISH CARDINAL SIN WOULD HAVE BEEN ALIVE TODAY, MARAHIL NALUNASAN AT NATAPOS NA EDSA……. CARDINAL SIN, PLEASE ENGLIGTHEN YOUR BISHOPS TO ACT ACCORDINGLY.
ang mga hayup balatan man at patagusin hanggang buto ang pagtalop ay hayup pa rin ang kalalabasan dahil ‘yun ay nakatahi na sa kanilang kalamnan at tagos hanggang kaibuturan. katulad ng din pinakamakamandag na ahas sa gubat, kahit anong pag-aalaga at pagpapala ang gawin ay tutuklawin pa rin ang kamay ng nag-aruga at nagbigay pala. gayundin, ang buwitreng nagtatago sa likod ng balahibo ng kalapati ay lalabas ang pagiging hayok kapag nakaamoy ng dugo at laman ng bibiktimahin.
ganito ang asal at ugali ni gloria arroyo, ang kanyang asawa’t mga anak at kanilang mga alagad.
habang milyon ang nagdarahop nating mga kababayan, silang mga buwayang nasa poder ay walang sawang nagpapakabundat sa paghuthot sa kaban ng bayan. normal sa kanila ang daang libo at milyong salaping pagpapartihan at WALA sa kanilang bukabularyo ang salitang TUNAY NA PAGLILINGKOD SA BAYAN. wala sa kanilang puso ang matapat na pagkalinga sa mga kulang palad bagkus ay mga pakunwaring pagmamalasakit at pagpapahalaga sa kapakanan ng kanilang mga NILILINLANG na nasasakupan na matapos silang ihalal sa paniniwalang kanilang kakatawanin ay pawang pangako at walang hanggang panloloko ang ginagawa. lantaran ang katiwalian na pilit nilang pinagtatakpan at itinatago sa mata ng mamamayan.
akala ni gloria arroyo, ang pagkakaisa ay makakamit sa pamamagitan ng pananakot at pagsupil sa karapatan ng sa kanya ay pumupuna at tumutuligsa. akala niya ay masisilayan ang pag-unlad sa pamamagitan ng kanyang imbentong pagsulong kabuhayan. akala niya ay mabubusog ang mga nagugutom sa kanyang pantasyang lumalago ang ekonomiya ng bansang bunga lamang ng kanyang SINUNGALING na imahinasyon!
halos pitong taon na tayong binubusabos. napakaigsing palugit kung tutuusin sa pagkakamit ng tunay na kaunlarang hindi agad masusumpungan sa lalim ng balon ng paghihikahos na kinalubluban ng ating inang bayan subalit napakahabang panahon ng pagsurusang dulot ng pagiging ganid ng isang babaeng mang-aagaw ng kapangyarihan, isang sinungaling na walang ginawa kundi ang linlangin ang mamamayan, mandarayang gagamitin ang lahat ng paraan huwag lamang maalis sa malakanyang at gahamang walang pagkasawa sa pagtatampisaw sa basbas ng huwad na mandatong kanyang sinasandalan.
ginagamit pa at nagpapakasangkapan ang mga “banal” na alagad ng simbahan.
pitong taon na. hanggang ngitngit na lamang ba tayo?
How can we expect Rosales to condemn GMA if his niece Medy Poblador is the bag lady of GMA, one of those suspected of distributing the loots to the mayors, tongressmen and governors?
And recall that last year at the height of the public indignation against Gloria, these bishops converted the planned gigantic Protest Rally at the Luneta into a Prayer Rally of Thanksgiving.
Thus pricking the balloon of the rallyists who were raring to do battle with the woman.
They saved Gloria’s hide. But their morale ascendancy went into a downward slide.
phil,
pati kaluluwa ng mga obispong ‘yan ay inaanay na at naaagnas dahil sa pagpapagamit nila kay gloria arrovo, ang apo ni satanas!
blackdiamond,
it was cardinal sin who told his bishops not to be afraid of committing mortal sin.
ikumpisal lamang daw tanggal na ang kanilang kasalanan.
sayang ang pera.
The Catholic church has a long history of doing bad things to the populace but masking them as order from God.
From Jhoana Pacaonces :
Ano kaya ang pwede naming gawin para makatulong sa ating bansang Pilipinas na palubog ng palubog sa pamahalaang Arroyo?
Pati sa pag aaral ng anak ko nahirapan na kami. Kami ay mahirap lang at lalo pang naghihirap sa buhay. gusto kong ipagpatuloy sa college ang anak ko pero hindi kaya ng bulsa dahil sa mahal lahat ng bilihin, pasahe,tuition at mga projects. Ang pagtitinda ko ng mga gulay ay hindi sapat para matustusan ang pang araw araw na pamumuhay dito sa probinsiya. Ito nalang sana ang pinagtu-unan ng pansin ng ating pangulo para makatulong sa mahirap na gaya namin at para sa kinabukasan ng lahat.
With the manner in which bloggers criticize the Bishops and Catholic Church, I wonder how many of us here are now practicing Catholics or might have left the church. But for the Catholic apologists, they would be quick again to argue that the bishops are only human. Catholic defenders are offended and keep saying that the evil deeds of these priests and even the Pope do not represent the entire church. Hindi ba madalas natin marinig ang ganyang argumento? Yet, if we follow the principle of “Practice what you preach”, maraming bagsak sa mga alagad ng Diyos na ito who represent themselves as Christ. Sabi nga sa Bible, beware of those in sheep’s clothing. Mga bulaang propeta. Hindi lang naguturo ng maling aral gumagawa pa ng kabalastugan. That’s the reason why other religious groups are so glad to take in more and more frustrated Catholics. The easiest to convert these days are the Catholics. Kung ako ang tatanungin niyo, sukang-suka na ako. Mas pinili ko na lang ngayon ang makipag-unayan direkta sa Diyos kesa sa simbahan at kumausap sa mga paring may tinatagong dilim at lagim.
mahilig si gloria, bilang “dakilang ina” sa “bribes feeding” sa mga katulad niya’y gahamang kanyang inaalagaan sa kotongreso, kasama na ang kunwari’y mga banal subalit ganid na nakaabito.
As usual, GMA orders an investigation into the bribery. Kapag may pumutok na scandal na hindi kayang pagtakpan, kunwari investigate ang utos nitong gaga. She also ordered an investigation into that ZTE deal. Pero sabi naman ng mga alipores niya, wala naman daw utos na ganito mula sa amo nila.
Tanay ka Gloria!
“Ito nalang sana ang pinagtu-unan ng pansin ng ating pangulo para makatulong sa mahirap na gaya namin at para sa kinabukasan ng lahat.”
malabong bgyang pansin ‘yan ni gloria arrovo. and please lang, pakiusap, HUWAG matawagtawag na “ating pangulo” ang mandarayang hindi hinalal ng taong bayan.
SEVEN basic needs of a family:
food
shelter
clothing
education
transportation & communication
power(kuryente)
sex
* * * * * * *
i prefer sex, para sa sexonian kingdom.
I hope the link works. It is in GMAnews.tv website
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/64838/Palace-misused-charity-funds-gave-loans-sans-records—COA
It talks about Palace misused charity funds, gave loans sans records – COA…
GRABE!!!!!!!!!!!! Pakapalan n lang talaga!
Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto is silent about GMA cash gift. Magkano ba Ate Vi?
Diego, it was reported that two other governors from Southern Tagalog region received the money. Kaya posibleng isa diyan si Vilma Santos. Vilma could have received it upon the advice of her husband Ralph Recto. Recto could have accompanied Vilma to that breakfast meeting in Malacanang. Ang balita kasi buntot ng buntot itong si Ralph kay Vilma kahit saang lakad. After Recto’s defeat last election, he’s now Vilma’s adviser.
DKG: tama a pastoral letter to all parishes should be sent and read in the pulpit to comdemn corruption of GNA.
Blackdiamond: tama ang prayer rally..I suggest the venue to be St. Jude Church in Aviles on Oct. 28 the feast of St. Jude the saint of hopeless cases…let us pray for Gloria’s resignation. Incidentally, if I remember Oct. 28 is the anniversary of Ellen’s blog…
Pechanco: Matagal na akong umalis simula pa lang sa politics involvement ni Cardinal Sin, which I believe becomes the template for the CBCP. Tama Ipokrito ang mga ito. di bale alam na ng lahat, you hit it right in the head, umiyak kasi ang naghudas sa kanila ay kabaro nila. Buti nga sa inyo.
Rose: If we have to pray, lets pray directly to the big boss, open naman ang line niya para ating lahat. Express delivery pa.
ASIII,
i beg to differ on your off-the-shelf swipe on the poor Bishop Oscar Cruz.
his relentless pursuit to expose illegal jueteng jolted the nation on its length of interwoven connections between operators, politicians, and police/military officials.
but he could only do so much; for a reason which do not even require explanation and obvious to see: one, he has no police powers save to that of the pulpit.
the blame should not be laid on his person but to the highest level of officialdom who until this day, arrested not a single soul despite of Cruz’ well-documented expose`.
imho, we owe him our support and prayers and the nation’s gratitude.
his kind, rare and alarmingly fast-diminishing, is one of those that sorely deserves emulation from other fellow bishops.
breastfeeding is the religious responsibility of a doting mother to her beloved child.
bribesfeeding is the corrupt legacy of gloria arrovo to her crook political allies and cabinet members.
Mrivera, is there such a thing as “nipplefeeding”? That’s the practice daw of sweethearts and husband and wife. Anong difference ng breastfeeding sa nipplefeeding?
nipplefeeding?
pechanco, masesensor tayo n’yan.
agalit a nanay. apalo a tatay.
indi pa to pede
dede pa to
bata pa to
Mrivera, that was a harmless question di ba? Kung may breastfeeding may nipplefeeding din. If you don’t know the answer, pass it to the others. Nelbar, gusto mo na yatang dumede…