Pope hands off on bishops in PCSO controversy—Ambassador Tuason

990AM’s Chona Yu’s report on the reaction of Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes Arrastia-Tuason on controversy surrounding some bishops who allegedly received SUVs and cash from PCSO.

MANILA, Philippines – Pope Benedict XVI is adopting a hands off policy on the controversy surrounding Filipino bishops accused of receiving SUVs and cash from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Mercedes Arrastia-Tuason told 990AM Friday.

“The Holy Father will not comment on something that is a domestic problem,” said Tuason from the Vatican in a phone interview with reporter Chona Yu.

Tuason added that there was still nothing definite in the investigation.

Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Mercedes Arrastia-Tuason

“When the CBCP [Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines] said that their conscience was clear, I believe that,” Tuason said.

The Senate blue ribbon committee has started its inquiry into allegations that bishops were given SUVs bought from funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The inquiry was prompted by a disclosure from the new PCSO management under Margarita Juico identifying six Catholic bishops and an organization that received SUVs and cash worth P8.3 million in the last three years of the Arroyo administration.

Pope Benedict XVI hands-off in bishops’ controversy, ‘domestic problem,’ says PH ambassador to Vatican, Mercy Tuason

For the full report, listen to 990AM.