Media practitioner spun ‘Pajero bishops’ as diversionary tactic–Miriam

MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Miriam Santiago on Wednesday alleged that a media practitioner is behind efforts to highlight the vehicles bought by seven Catholic bishops using donations from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to distract public attention from the questionable disbursement of its funds.

Santiago declined to name the practitioner in an ambush interview but said the ongoing media salvo against bishops “may have been intended to cover up the illegal deposit of some P1.5 billion in a private commercial bank.”

“A media spin was apparently placed on the so-called ‘Pajero bishops’ as a diversionary tactic,” Santiago said but refused to provide more details.

Still ongoing in the Senate is the blue ribbon committee hearing on the alleged violations of the previous PCSO board.