MANILA, Philippines—There is nothing wrong to ask for something, but Church officials should consider “delicadeza (proper decorum or behavior),” said Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, a known media-savvy, anti-gambling advocate on Wednesday.
In a hearing of the blue ribbon committee investigating alleged anomalies in the disbursement of funds by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Francisco Joaquin III read from a letter reportedly sent by Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009, requesting “a brand new 4×4” for his 66th birthday.
Pueblos also said in his letter, which was shown to the blue ribbon committee, that he was using a seven year-old car that was no longer in good running condition, and could not reach the far-flung areas of his Catholic constituency.
“Parang nanliit ako ng malaman ko na isa sa amin ay nang-hingi ng sasakyan para sa kanyang birthday ,” [I felt small and belittled knowing that one of us asked for a vehicle for his birthday], Cruz acknowledged.
Cruz said he does not see any violation of the law regarding such requests, but as much as possible, church officials should not do that for ethical reasons.