CBCP to issue statement vs receiving donations from gambling agencies

MANILA, Philippines—The beleaguered Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is expected to confront demons when it concludes its plenary assembly on Monday, by issuing a statement on the latest controversy that has hit its ranks.

A source in the Catholic Church hinted on Sunday that the bishops would issue a “more defined” policy against receiving donations from legitimized gambling institutions and sources of illegal gambling.

Years ago, the CBCP has already adopted a collective policy for bishops “to refrain from soliciting or receiving funds from illegal and legal gambling so as not to promote a culture of gambling.”

“It’s possible that they will issue more definition for the previous statement on the prohibition of receiving money from legal or illegal gambling,” the source told reporters on Sunday, requesting anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the matter.

But he was unsure if the bishops’ statement would particularly refer to the PCSO [Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office] fund mess.

Seven of its bishops have been identified as having received multimillion-peso donations for the purchase of sports utility vehicles from the PCSO during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The seven bishops implicated in the alleged PCSO fund mess were Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Abra Bishop Leonardo Jaucian, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Bontoc Bishop Rodolfo Beltran and Nueva Segovia Archbishop Ernesto Antolin Salgado.

The CBCP media director, Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, said on Sunday the seven bishops were obviously suffering from the recent attacks hurled against them. “It cannot be denied that the seven are really suffering,” said Quitorio.

But he stressed that such suffering was not in vain if it was paving the way “to opening a can of worms” that would help the government solve corruption in the country.

“If this will be the opportunity to open the doors toward cleansing the government, somehow the suffering of the seven bishops will [not be put to waste],” said the CBCP official.

Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, the CBCP president, earlier announced that the CBCP Plenary Council would tackle the controversy during its assembly. The CBCP Plenary Council is the highest decision-making body of the Catholic Church hierarchy in the Philippines.

He also said that the bishops, as a body, would issue a statement on various matters facing the Church. The statement is expected to include the issue involving the so-called “Pajero 7” bishops.

Quitorio confirmed on Sunday that the CBCP will hold a press conference on Monday but kept mum on its agenda.

On the eve of the press conference, newly elected CBCP head Archbishop Jose Palma posted a message that encouraged cooperation by fellow bishops but was silent on the biggest crisis so far the bishops were facing today. (Palma will take over as CBCP head in December.)

“I would like to ask my brothers and the people…that as shepherds and servant leaders we may realize the importance and sacredness of our responsibility and together with our people, may we journey towards becoming a country of life and love,” Palma said through CBCP news, the official news service of the Church hierarchy.