MANILA, Philippines -- Several senators have expressed disappointment over the Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines? decision not to ask President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo resign.

In a pastoral statement late Tuesday, the CBCP urged Arroyo to take the lead in the fight against corruption by, among others, scrapping Executive Order 464 that would allow her officials to attend Senate hearings.

Senator Francis Escudero said Wednesday: "Nakakadismaya [I am dismayed], disappointing to say the least. While I respect the position they have taken, I disagree with it. In EDSA 1, the issue was election fraud, in EDSA 2 the issue was corruption. Today, with ?Garci? and ZTE, we have the twin issues of cheating and stealing coupled with lying and yet the Church chose to take a softer stand."

Escudero referred to the popular uprisings backed by the military and the Catholic Church in 1986 and 2001 that led to the downfall of two presidents -- Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada -- and the twin issues that have spawned calls for Arroyo?s resignation -- the wiretapped tapes linking her to poll fraud and the allegedly tainted national broadband network contract that was signed with China?s ZTE Corp.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also expressed his disappointment: "You cannot teach GMA [Arroyo initials] new tricks?While we fully respect the opinion of the CBCP, my personal opinion is mas hahaba [it will take longer]. I have been with the opposition since 2004, some saw it in 2001?[The CBCP position] could have been bolder."

Senator Panfilo Lacson said in Filipino, "The CBCP not calling for Arroyo's resignation is understandable. The bishops will become more politicized if their call will reach that. It is enough for us in the Senate that the CBCP call is to rescind EO 464."

However, Lacson said asking Arroyo to lead the drive against corruption was like an empty call or even a call for a thief to stop the stealing.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said, "After so much groaning and breast-beating, the CBCP calls for more prayers. Prayers are more powerful than our posturing as politicians. Problem is you can?t say it's effective until God answers."