MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang has welcomed the Catholic Bishops? of the Philippines call for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and all branches of government ?to take lead in combating corruption? as it thanked the prelates for not ?succumbing to the propaganda of rabid oppositionists.?

?We welcome the statement of the CBCP which exhorts everyone to fight corruption and search for truth. The recommendations addressed to the executive, the legislature and the media certainly deserve very serious consideration,? Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Tuesday.

?We thank the CBCP for not succumbing to the propaganda of rabid oppositionists who are bent on overturning the gains of our strong economy,? he said.

In a pastoral statement released after a daylong meeting to discuss the present political crisis, the CBCP sought the abolition of Executive Order 464, asked the Senate and the Ombudsman to use their distinct power to fight corruption, and called on media to be objective in their reporting, encouraged the creation of a ?culture of truth and integrity -- the new version of people power.?

Bunye said the country ?deserves a respite from frantic, irrational and dangerous calls for the President to resign, while the real truth has yet to be established by the court of law.?

?Let us be discerning about the motives of detractors while maintaining a sharp focus on uplifting the lives of the greater peaceful majority,? he said. Joel Guinto, INQUIRER.net