Incoming CBCP chief endorses vehicle fund drive for bishops in Cebu

The incoming president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has endorsed the fund drive to acquire vehicles for the public service work of some Catholic bishops in Cebu. In an article posted on the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) website on Thursday, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said “I gave my endorsement for Cebu." Palma will take over as CBCP president on December 1. The fund drive in the Archdiocese of Cebu will continue until July 31, UCAN reported. PCSO mess Several private persons began a fund drive for bishops after a government official revealed that some bishops received vehicles from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for their public service projects during the term of former President Gloria Arroyo. PCSO chairperson Margie Juico said the vehicles included a Montero Sport worth P1.7 million, from PCSO funds in a recent Senate blue ribbon committee probe. Incoming CBCP spokesperson Monsignor Pedro Quitorio said the prelates involved in the controversy only became “sacrificial lambs," since the issue on luxury vehicles only constitute a “small" part of the reported misuse of funds in the agency. Fund drive Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal and former Manila Mayor Jose Atienza Jr. had started a fund-raising drive to buy vehicles for some Catholic bishops. Atienza earlier appealed to Catholics to support the fund-raising drive to show concern and sympathy to the bishops. The UCAN said Atienza and Macalintal have so far raised P2.5 million since their appeal was launched. Television host Willie Revillame earlier donated two vehicles and P100,000 while boxing champ Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao pledged P100,000. “We only need funds for two more vehicles to accomplish our mission," Macalintal said. CBCP apology The CBCP apologized to the public after some of its members were embroiled in the PCSO fund controversy. In a pastoral statement read by its outgoing president Bishop Nereo Odchimar, the CBCP said the Church “has been deeply wounded by the controversies in the PCSO." "As shepherds struggling to love you like Jesus the Good Shepherd, we are sorry for the pain and sadness that these events have brought upon you," the group said after its 103rd plenary assembly held at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila. - VVP, GMA News