CBCP denies fault in SUV controversy

“Our conscience is clear." This was the statement of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) regarding the controversy surrounding its prelates who allegedly requested and received standard utility vehicles from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). In a letter addressed to Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, CBCP president Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar said that there was no violation of any law when the PCSO extended financial assistance to the Catholic Church. Odchimar was reacting to the Constitutional provision being cited by incumbent PCSO officials that says, "No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium." "We believe that where the aim and purpose of the grant or use of public funds is for public purpose which the government has the duty to undertake, then the religious character or channel is only incidental," Odchimar said. "For public and general welfare" He added that if the PCSO donations to a bishop are for "public and general welfare" purposes, it should not be declared illegal merely because they are part of a religious institution. "The bishop does not own the donation but holds it in trust for public use of his diocese. Hence, the donation is not given to the bishop as such. Whatever benefit the Catholic Church may draw from the gift is purely incidental," Odchimar said. Odchimar noted, however, that they are "grateful" that the issue came to light so that the Senate can help the PCSO clarify the issue once and for all. "Allow us to express our willingness to face the consequences of having accepted financial aid from the government so as to channel them to those who need them the most," he said. "If the collective wisdom of the Senate will indicate to us that such financial assistance to the poor, as coursed through religious groups, is in fact improper if not illegal, then by all means let us put an end to this long-standing practice," he added. Up to the executive? PCSO director Atty. Aleta Tolentino had earlier revealed that P6.9 million of the charity’s funds were allocated for the purchase of utility vehicles for certain prelates. During Wednesday's Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, PCSO chair Margie Juico named some of the Church officials involved in the controversy. After the inquiry, however, Juico said that it is not up to the PCSO to ask the prelates to return the SUVs that they received, especially if it turns out that they were actually using it for charity or other related services. "Ang [Commission on Audit] ang nagre-recommend sa amin (Only COA can recommend to us)... but we have to have basis for deciding if that was used for personal use or otherwise," she said. In a separate interview on Wednesday, Guingona said that it is now up to the executive branch to decide if the SUVs should be returned. Malacañang, meanwhile, said it will leave it up to the concerned bishops the decision on whether or not to return the SUVs. - KBK, GMA News