Impeachment trial a parody, says Lipa bishop

SC MASS Chief Justice Renato Corona greets Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles during Mass inside the Supreme Court compound on the eve of his testimony in the Senate impeachment court. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Lipa City Archbishop Ramon Arguelles on Monday dismissed the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona as a “parody” that was doing nothing good for the country.

“Privately, [the bishops] are talking about the impeachment,” Arguelles told reporters after celebrating Mass for Corona at the Supreme Court. “Most of us think this is a parody,” he said.

“The Church received an uppercut [when the controversy about] the ‘Pajero bishops’ came out,” Arguelles said. “But it was a complete misinformation. We didn’t accept it … We are still licking our wounds.”

Arguelles was referring to the scandal involving some Roman Catholic bishops who received luxury cars and sports utility vehicles from the Arroyo administration through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

“This is a parody of impeachment,” Arguelles said, referring to Corona’s trial in the Senate. “I don’t know why we still watch it. [This is foolishness]. You saw how they raised good arguments only to falter in the end.”

He said the government should instead concentrate on other pressing problems of the country. “The poor people are getting poorer,” he said.

In his homily, Arguelles said Corona’s impeachment trial was “not the last recourse.”

“There is a final tribunal that we will have to answer to. There, our evil deeds will be the witness against ourselves and our good deeds will be the witness for our salvation,” he said.

Arguelles also asked Corona and his supporters to be “steadfast and pray hard.”

“He needs the help of heaven so all those who wanted him down will be enlightened and pray for his enemy,” he said.

Is the Catholic Church taking the side of Corona?

Fr. Robert Reyes, the so-called running priest, is afraid that’s what the Masses being held at the Supreme Court mean.

The organizers—supporters of Corona—claim the Masses are being held “for truth and justice.” But they pray not for truth and justice but for Corona’s acquittal, Reyes said.

Reyes said the Masses being held at the Supreme Court compound gave the impression of “partisan” purposes.

“The Supreme Court is the place where the Chief Justice works,” Reyes said in an interview. “People will not take [these Masses] as nonpartisan. Celebrating Mass there is double-edged.”

Reyes said God should not be dragged into Corona’s troubles with the law.

“God is bigger than politics,” Reyes said.

Arguelles said he celebrated Mass at the Supreme Court compound because Corona was from Batangas and he supported the Chief Justice. With a report from Philip C. Tubeza