OZAMIZ City, Philippines—Two priests and a lay leader have come forward to deny an Inquirer report insinuating that the Archdiocese of Ozamiz, through Archbishop Jesus Dosado, received a Pajero from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under the Arroyo administration.
Fr. Marvin Osmeña, administrator of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and custodian of church properties, said Dosado was never a recipient of any such bounty from the Arroyo administration.
The Inquirer reported on Wednesday that Dosado had a gray Pajero that is often used by Catholic-owned radio DxDD. But Fr. Edgar Canama, DxDD station manager, denied the claim.
“(Ever) since, DxDD stations (AM and FM) have not used a Pajero from the bishop in all our operations,” said Canama.
Lay leader Wendell Talibong, DxDD-AM production chief, said serious allegations such as that hurled against the Ozamiz archdiocese “must be backed by proof, evidence and credible source.”
PCSO chief Margarita Juico said she was verifying reports that the agency had given some bishops sports utility vehicles to win support for the Arroyo administration.
Both Canama and Osmeña said that the local church in Ozamiz “does not condone bribery and corruption.”