Bishops divided over 'Pajero' gifts from PCSO

Bishops were divided on the issue of some of their colleagues' asking for luxury cars as gift from then President Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo, with one saying those involved "erred" in their judgment, while another saying there was "nothing immoral" with what the prelates did. Retired Roman Catholic Church Bishop Teodoro Bacani said the so-called "Pajero" bishops might have good intentions, they still erred in their judgement when they asked for sport utility vehicles.
Bacani said it was wrong to write the President a letter to ask for any birthday gifts, obviously referring to Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, who received from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) a Montero sport utility vehicle (SUV) worth P1.7 million as a birthday gift from Arroyo. "Iyong pagkasulat ni Bishop Pueblos, aaminin ko hindi maganda ang dating. But it was meant for the use of the people that he was serving. I don't think he intended it for his personal use. Iyong judgement call niya, mali," Bacani said in a report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali. The retired bishop, who was attending the 50th anniversary celebration of the Mother Butler Guild (MBG) in Pasay City, said if he were in the shoes of the so-called "Pajero bishops," he would never ask donations from the administration. But Bishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando, Pampanga, said he saw nothing wrong with the actions of the Pajero bishops, adding that previous administrations have long had "partnerships and linkages" with the Church. "There is nothing wrong. It is not illegal. It is not immoral," said Aniceto, who also attended the gathering in Pasay City. Aniceto lamented that the controversy has only created a rift between the government and the Roman Catholic Church. "It is very sad that this thing happened because the partnership that should exist between the Church and state has been marred because of some unfortunate incidents like these," Aniceto said. Meanwhile, MBG president Henrietta de Villa admitted that the Church as a whole – both its leaders and followers – are also being affected by the accusations hurled against the embattled bishops. "Nalulungkot ako syiempre kasi sila, ika nga, ang aming good shepherds. Parte kami ng simbahan kaya kapag binatikos sila, lahat kami parang nababatikos din," she said, adding that the Pajero bishops should also be given an opportunity to air their side. Pueblos had admitted receiving a vehicle from the government but insisted it was being used for the Church's pastoral works. As a member of an investigating team on extra-judicial killings in Butuan province, Pueblos also said he uses the vehicle in doing fact-finding missions. Through a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, the embattled bishop has already signified their intention to return the vehicles they received from the government. The "Pajero" mess is currently the subject of an investigation by the Senate. During last Wednesday's Senate probe, PCSO chair Margarita Juico said the following church leaders received vehicles: