Aquino must fire erring friends–bishops

MANILA, Philippines—A graft-free Philippines in the next five years may be a “tall order” but for it to be possible, President Aquino must learn to fire friends found erring in government service and select competent officials, according to several Catholic bishops on Monday.

Prelates from across the country expressed doubt over Mr. Aquino’s vow during his first Independence Day speech on Sunday to deliver the nation from corruption before he stepped down, saying that a 10-percent poverty reduction in five years was more achievable.

“[That’s] a tall order. [He must] prove his competency,” said Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon over Church-run Radio Veritas on Monday.

“That’s not attainable,” added Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, referring to Mr. Aquino’s promise of a country free from corruption. “Maybe a 10-percent poverty reduction in five years,” Gutierrez said also over Radio Veritas.

The Marbel prelate said the President must also first eliminate graft in government offices and departments, particularly in the largest revenue-collecting agencies like the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs, to fulfill his promise.

“He should fire and not protect his friends if guilty of any wrongdoing … he must also select competent officials,” stressed Gutierrez.

Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francisco de Leon also echoed the same opinion, saying that the Philippines will be free from poverty and corruption if the President will not spare his friends in government offices.

“Talk is different from action, I want to see his actions,” added De Leon also on Radio Veritas.

Last week, the minority in Congress demanded that the President’s “kakampi, kaklase and kabarilan” (party mates, classmates and shooting buddies) face a congressional investigation after he supposedly chose to ignore the cases facing his close allies.

These included Land Transportation Office Chief Virginia Torres, Mr. Aquino’s shooting buddy who was recommended for dismissal by the Department of Justice for intervening in the Stradcom ownership dispute.

A close friend of the President, Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno has been recommended to face charges for the botched Rizal Park hostage rescue while Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has been accused of tax evasion but was cleared motu propio.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco conceded that eliminating graft and corruption in the country was not an easy task that can be carried out only by one.

“We must help each other [and] we are also hoping that President Aquino would give attention to the feedback and reflections of people from various sectors of the society to achieve his promise,” said Ongtioco.