CBCP on meddling in national politics: ‘We are citizens too’

MANILA, Philippines—An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Thursday hit back at critics who said they were meddling with the affairs of the state.

In a press conference on Thursday, Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP Permanent Committee on Public Affairs, said that bishops and the religious have the right to air their side on national issues as it is their right as citizens of the country, even if their opinions may run counter to the popular public voice.

“Ang lagi nilang sinasabi dito, there is a separation between Church and state … we are still part of the state. We are citizens of the state and we can still air our opinion. It may be contrary to the whole opinion but then again, we still have our right to express them,” Secillano said.

He even offered an analogy to describe the role of bishops in the country.

“Kaming mga bishop, mga pari, binabatikos din kami ng mga tao eh. But we cannot say to the people criticizing us, ‘Huwag mo kaming batikusin, hindi ka namin parishioner.’ (Bishops and priests are also being criticized by the people. But we cannot say to the people attacking us, ‘Don’t criticize us because you’re not our parishioner,’)” the CBCP official said.

“Ganon din naman kung ang isang obispo ang nagsasalita, hindi mo kami masasabihan, ‘Hindi ka puwedeng magsalita kasi hindi ka bahagi ng gobyerno.’ (Just like when a bishop is criticizing the government, you cannot say, ‘You cannot speak against us because you are not a part of the government.’)”

This statement was aired following the expression of support of 74 bishops for the passage of two House bills advocating for the extension of the government’s agrarian reform programs.

The CBCP has also aired its side on the issue of the bungled Mamasapano incident, urging President Benigno Aquino III to have “full accounting” on what transpired on the operation.

RELATED STORIES

Bishops push land reform

CBCP head challenges Aquino: Disclose role in Mamasapano operation