Catholic bishops not being singled out in PCSO exposé — Palace

The government has kept itself fair in tackling reports that Catholic clerics received sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and cash from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) under the Arroyo administration, a Palace spokesperson said Sunday. “Wala namang nagaganap na singling out doon sa pito ngang mga bishop na sinasabing nakatanggap nga ng donasyon para doon sa motor vehicles na sinasabi," said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. Valte was referring to the claim of Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), that the PCSO should stop singling out Catholic clerics. Odchimar had also urged the PCSO to name other religious groups that received SUVs and cash from PCSO under the Arroyo administration. Another bishop, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, said the PCSO exposé is a demolition job in relation to a bishop’s criticism against the Reproductive Health (RH) bill. Valte, however, said the identification of the so-called “Pajero 7" bishops has nothing to do with the Catholic Church’s opposition to the RH bill as well as some bishops’ criticisms against President Benigno Aquino III. She noted that the Commission on Audit (COA), on whose records the PCSO exposé was based, is an independent body. Meanwhile, Valte said the Palace appreciates the candidness of Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, who admitted that his diocese needed the vehicle he reportedly received from PCSO. Jaucian had confirmed the receipt of P1.129 million from PCSO, supposedly used to buy a Mitsubishi Strada pick-up to help Church workers reach far-flung areas. Jaucian’s fellow Church leader, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, said he was prepared to surrender another P1.1-million Mitsubishi Strada vehicle that is used for medical and relief missions as well as kidnap-related negotiations. Odchimar, for his part, admitted owning a Mitsubishi Pajero, but said he bought it with his own money. “I bought a second-hand, three-door Pajero at the amount of P200,000 from a private owner. It did not come from Malacañang. I bought it with my own personal money. I can show you the deed of absolute sale if you have doubts," he said. Valte said on the bishops’ statements, “Iyon naman kasi ang hinahanap dito, dahil ang tinatanong lang naman kasi ay ano ang nangyari doon sa mga pondo." It is up to the PCSO board to decide if the bishops should return the vehicles, if cases should be filed, or if the agency should continue donating to religious organizations, Valte said. Odchimar had earlier said that the controversy will be discussed in their plenary assembly on July 8-10 at the Pope Pius Catholic Center in Manila. The meeting is the highest decision-making body of the CBCP and convenes every January and July. - Paterno Esmaquel II/KBK, GMA News