CBCP: ‘Our conscience is clear’

Bishop Nereo Odchimar. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/NINO JESUS ORBITA

MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines asserted Wednesday that its “conscience is clear” on allegations that bishops benefitted from the funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which included a “brand new 4×4” to one of the clergy who made the request as a “birthday gift” to then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009.

“Our conscience is clear,” CBCP Chairman Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar said in a letter read by Senator Teofisto Guingona III during the Senate blue ribbon committee inquiry aired on 990AM.

In the same letter, Odchimar clarified that donations from the government given to various dioceses were not addressed to the bishop. In the case of the Diocese of Butuan, the vehicle donated was given to the diocese, Odchimar said, adding that Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos did not own the vehicle.

Nevertheless, the CBCP leadership guaranteed the Senate full cooperation in the inquiry, adding that they are willing to furnish the necessary documents in order to clear themselves of allegations of corruption.

Earlier in the same hearing, PCSO Director Francisco Joaquin III disclosed that Pueblos requested for a “brand new 4×4” for his 66th birthday from Arroyo and that PCSO funds were used to buy the vehicle.

Quoting the solicitation letter addressed to Arroyo dated February 2009, Joaquin said that Bishop Pueblos needed the vehicle for him to be able to go to the far-flung areas in his province.

In the same hearing, PCSO Chairperson Margarita Juico confirmed that the check issued for the purchase of the vehicle was paid to the diocese of Butuan and not to Pueblos.

For his part, Joaquin III said that the Commission on Audit was still awaiting the report for the liquidation of the check. He added that it was not specified what brand or specific model was bought with the PCSO donation.

The Senate is conducting an inquiry after the Commission on Audit disclosed allegedly several anomalous transactions by the PCSO during the term of Arroyo.