Nograles to bishops: Help address global crisis, not call for new gov't

MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Prospero Nograles on Friday urged Catholic Church leaders to help the Arroyo administration quell the effects of the global financial crisis, instead of calling for a new government. In a statement, Nograles said he is dismayed that some sectors "can still find time to sow the seed of political instability" while other nationals around the world scramble to protect themselves from economic meltdown. "This is the worst of times to be making such political statements especially coming from the leaders of the Church. The global financial threat is already sending some nations into a near state of recession and the Philippines can become even more vulnerable because of relentless political bickering," Nograles said. "The writings are on the wall as we have seen when we suffered a bloodbath in the stock market last Monday. Despite our strong economic fundamentals, our country remains very vulnerable from the adverse effects of the global financial contagion," he said. Nograles said that while he respects the opinion of Church leaders, he is hoping that they would call for the people to unite in prayer so that the country can survive the global financial crisis instead of calling for a change in government. "You do not change the captain of the ship in the middle of the storm. That will spell disaster," Nograles said. He added that the presidential election which will be conducted in less than two years is the "best" way to establish a "new government" is through an election. "Election is just around the corner so I don't see the logic why some of our Church leaders are making such statements. They can even campaign in 2010 for their favored Presidential candidate," he said. He likewise dispelled some claims that Congress is seeking to extend the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through charter change, saying there is no document of bill pending in the House that seeks to extend the term of the president. On Tuesday, five senior bishops, including Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Angel Lagdameo denounced what it called the "worsening" corruption in the administration and called on the public to support radical changes in the government. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV