Whether or not the brand of vehicles which seven bishops got from the PCSO were Mitsubishi Pajeros, the donations should be looked into. The Senate investigation confirmed that PCSO-funded vehicles were obtained as service vehicles. (Only one bishop got a Mitsubishi SUV, a Montero).
The Philippine Constitution is clear on the principle of separation of Church and State and even bars any church or priest from receiving funds or property from the government.
I understand the bishops’ position that it would have been wiser not to accept or solicit help from the previous administration to purchase vehicles for their work especially since Catholic leaders are very critical about gambling. Since the funds of the state-owned lottery come from gambling, it would appear hypocritical for the Church to criticize gambling and still receive vehicles sourced from gambling.
I’m happy that some Catholic leaders are raising funds separately for the vehicle needs of bishops. It is hoped that our faithful will help priests meet the needs for pastoral services instead of letting the Church receive help from gambling.
I would also suggest that bishops concentrate on their priestly functions instead of asking the newly elected president to resign just because he received a vehicle from the previous administration.
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It seems cybersex is the new cancer in communities, especially in Cordova town.
Provincial police raided a cybersex den there last July 12 and arrested three women and three children. Why is this thriving in parts of Cebu and the country?
Some parents try to justify the activity saying that “nothing” is done to their children, that they are not being touched or engaging in sex so there’s no harm . And they get paid in dollars. But they shouldn’t forget that they are using their children to expose their bodies to obscenity and immorality.
In the recent raid, one of the rescued children tried to protect her mother by lying about her role when in fact the mother was present when the children performed naked in from of a web camera.
Let me congratulate town officials headed by Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy for their effort to curb cybersex activities despite the difficulty of entering private homes to arrest perpetrators and rescue the children. I think cybersex operations are being done in other towns as well. It is hoped that local governments conduct a campaign to stop this menace.
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Allow me to congratulate Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia for steering the provincial administration to a banner year with Cebu as the “strongest, richest province” in the country. I don’t think anyone can question that tag because it is based on facts.
Garcia may not be the most loved governor in Cebu but the fact remains that she has done wondrous things for the province of Cebu. Some quarters may question that but Governor Gwen has shown her leadership in making Cebu top all other provinces today. I would let history judge her for what she has done for Cebu. She has been very supportive of Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and plays an important role in the city’s development despite the opposition of Congressman Tommy Osmeña.
I think the Capitol’s Ciudad project is basically doing what is right and should proceed. Let the city government, particularly the city council, sue the developer so the legal issues holding it back will be resolved once and for all.
The issue involves the right of the Capitol as land owner and the private developer Fifth Avenue to develop the property versus the right of the Cebu city government to ensure that public convenience and traffic concerns are met.
I hope a compromise will be reached for the interest of public and not those of some parties.