CBCP seeks no apology from PCSO

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it won’t ask a public apology from the PCSO.

“I don’t see the bishops or even the CBCP requesting [that] because it would be good if it comes willingly,” said Msgr. Juanito Figura, CBCP secretary general, in an interview with reporters.

Happiness all over

The seven bishops implicated in the so-called PCSO fund mess were generally happy when they emerged from the Senate inquiry, Figura said on Wednesday.

“There was happiness all over [because] the truth has prevailed and it was done in a very honest, sincere and democratic way,” Figura said.

Figura, along with the CBCP president Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, and retired Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, attended the Senate inquiry in support of the prelates implicated in the PCSO scandal.

Figura said the bishops were vindicated “in the sense that [after] the pain, anguish and embarrassment they felt, they have been exonerated.”

Healing to take time

It may take time before the Church completely heals itself from serious charges that seven bishops bought vehicles with charity funds despite “mea culpas” from top charity and Senate officials.

“It ends well with us but it doesn’t end well with the Church. We have to cope well with that. The healing will take some time,” Quevedo said in an interview, speaking for the bishops.

Quevedo said the pronouncements by Juico and Enrile were acceptable.

“But even as we accept that as Christian bishops, the effects are longterm and it takes a long time to heal, not only among the bishops, but among the Church,” he said after the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.

The ball is now in the hands of the government to begin the process of healing, Quevedo said.

In his opening statement on behalf of the bishops, Quevedo expressed sadness that their desire to help the poor in far-flung areas had “confused, disturbed and even scandalized many of the Catholic faithful.”

Quevedo said he believed it was well articulated in the hearing that the bishops were maligned by reports as having received Pajeros without prompt clarification from the PCSO.

He acknowledged that the challenge now was how to restore the faithful’s trust not only in the individual bishops, but also in the Church.

“Those who were listening to what was going on, I hope they will be open to the bishops,” Quevedo said.

Climate of mistrust

The other challenge was how to break down the climate of mistrust between the Church and the government as an offshoot of the controversy, Quevedo said.

“The environment has changed. That environment of mistrust has been built. I’m not too sure whether the PCSO mistrusts us, or we mistrust the PCSO. But the mistrust is in the people. That’s the big thing,” he said.

Quevedo said the bishops would review and evaluate their relationship not only with the PCSO but also with any government agency collaborating with the Church in helping the poor.

Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian of Bangued, Abra, expressed relief over the officials’ expression of apology.

“It’s painful. We were subjected to public ridicule,” Jaucian told reporters. “But now, it’s as if a burden has been lifted.”

Bishop William Antonio, who represented Archbishop Ernesto Salgado of Nueva Segovia based in Vigan, Ilocos Sur province, agreed.

“I believe the damage has been done. But we should forgive. We no longer question the motives. We understand the situation,” Antonio said.

Truly wonderful

Quevedo, in a text message to the Inquirer late Wednesday, said: “After this morning at the Senate, a long three-hour siesta was most refreshing. On behalf of the bishops, I thank you for your trust, support and prayers.”

“I thank the Lord for His marvelous grace today. The reaction of the senators was truly wonderful. I am personally humbled before the Lord’s beneficence. Prayers and God bless,” Quevedo said.

PCSO apology sought

Also on Wednesday, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said it was now the PCSO’s turn to apologize for marring the image of the Church.

“Maybe the best apology is the resignation of PCSO Chair (Margarita) Juico,” Bagaforo said.

Bagaforo also urged Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative, to break her silence and speak up on the issue.

Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. said Quevedo had been “vindicated” in the Senate inquiry

“All we know is that the bishop has been very active in charitable and social action activities,” Guiani said of Quevedo, noting that the bishop had never been linked to any irregularity.

Embarrassment

In Abra province, a leader of a nongovernment organization said the government had only succeeded in putting to shame the very Church leaders, like Jaucian, who reached out to the poor in remote communities.

“It is the Church here (in Abra province) that builds projects for people that the government should be providing. The bishops did not need to be embarrassed,” said Pura Sumangil, founder of the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government.

In Pangasinan province, San Fabian parish priest Oliver Mendoza said the bishops’ decision to return the vehicles should start the healing process within the Church.

“They did not just say, ‘I’m sorry,’ but they accompanied their words with action. It was a humbling act on the part of the bishops but it means they are still thinking about the Church as a whole, and not themselves,” Mendoza said.

“We hope that from now on, they will work [with] the highest ethical standards [in mind],” he said.

Shaming not intention

In a statement she issued right after the hearing, Juico said it was not the intention of the PCSO to shame the bishops.

“Again, there was never, and never will be any intention to shame the bishops. For whatever it may be worth, the media news stories were based on the COA audit report findings,” Juico said.

Juico reiterated that the term “Pajeros” might have been used as a generic term for the SUVs.

Juico said the new PCSO management did not seek the return of the vehicles.

“The PCSO is going to coordinate with COA to find a way to monetize these vehicles with the proceeds being returned to the charity fund for the poor who are in need of health and medical assistance,” she added.—With reports from Tina G. Santos in Manila; Vincent Cabreza and Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon; and Edwin O. Fernandez, Charlie C. Señase, Julie S. Alipala and Germelina A. Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao