CBCP's stand on political issues

ZTE CONTROVERSY On February 10, 2008, the CBCP called ZTE controversy witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. courageous for exposing the questionable government deal on the national broadband network project. They also commended former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, who lost his post after his son Jose de Venecia III turned whistleblower in the ZTE deal. On February 11, 2008, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the “confession" made by Lozada and de Venecia Jr. may save people from being “hostage to scandalous and shady government deals". CHARTER CHANGE In 1997, the CBCP opposed the Charter change proposed by supporters of then President Fidel Ramos. In 2003, the bishops also opposed proposals to convene Congress into a constituent assembly. Three years later, in an April 7, 2006 pastoral statement, it questioned the signature campaign for cha-cha initiated by Arroyo's supporters: "Is this truly a 'people’s initiative' or the initiative of self-seeking political players wanting to entrench themselves in power?" After the House of representatives revised its own rules to so that it could immediately convene itself into a constitutional assembly, the CBCP on December 8, 2006, issued a Pastoral Exhortation: "Watch and Pray: Magmalasakit Para sa Bayan." They called for a "national watch and pray gathering in all major cities or Catholic dioceses "in order to express our opposition to the hasty and manipulative way CON-ASS is being pursued or undertaken for Charter Change." ARROYO IMPEACHMENT 1 & 2 In their July 10, 2005 pastoral statement, the bishops announced that they are not calling for Arroyo's resignation, but said they recognize that the filing of an impeachment case, among other non-violent actions, are "not against the Gospel." The 2005 impeachment complaint against Arroyo was junked by the House of Representatives. Another set of impeachment complaints were filed against Arroyo in June and July 2006. In their July 9, 2006 pastoral statement, the CBCP said while they are for the search for truth, they "are not inclined at the present moment to favor the impeachment process as the means for establishing the truth." The bishops added: "For unless the process and its rules as well as the mindsets of all participating parties, pro and con, are guided by no other motive than genuine concern for the common good, impeachment will once again serve as an unproductive political exercise, dismaying every citizen, and deepening the citizen's negative perception of politicians, left, right and center." 'HELLO GARCI' CONTROVERSY Amid the "Hello Garci" controversy, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines led by Archbishop Fernando Capalla stated in a July 9, 2005 pastoral statement their decision not to call for Arroyo's resignation. However, they also said that they do not encourage her "to simply to dismiss such a call from others," and added that "non-violent appeals for her resignation, the demand for a Truth Commission and the filing of an impeachment case are not against the Gospel." In a May 11, 2006 pastoral statement, the bishops reiterated their call for a reform fo the Commission on Elections to restore trust in our electoral process, asked for the follow up investigations on the fertilizer fund scam, and asked for the full disclosure of the Mayuga Report. PROCLAMATION 1017 After Arroyo's declaration of a State of Emergency in February 2006 following reported coup attempts, the bishops, now led by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, called on all parties concerned to "respect truth and the Rule of Law." JOSE PIDAL/OAKWOOD MUTINY Following the Oakwood mutiny and the Jose Pidal scandal, among other issues, the bishops released a pastoral statement urging Arroyo "to respond... to the valid issues regarding graft and corruption" brought to public attention by groups in government and civil society. They also called for the dissemination and implementationthe results of Congressional investigations, and urged political leaders to "desist from political grandstanding." VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT In a pastoral statement, the CBCP, then led by Archbishop Oscar Cruz, declared that the VFA, "as it presently stands should be rejected." The CBCP observed that the agreement was signed in secret, "vaguely worded", and treats US personnel better than Filipinos, and is silent on the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons. The bishops also noted that "the VFA does not foster the independence of the Philippines," and it "will promote sexual adventurism and promiscuity, HIV-AIDS, and the exploitation of the Filipinos, and "will pollute and degrade the environment." 2001 ELECTIONS In a statement, the CBCP headed by Archbishop Quevedo enumerated the following qualifications that voters should look for in a candidate: competence, integrity, an abiding sense of the common good, and solidarity with the poor. The bishops also encouraged the faithful to choose "leaders with political programs that will address the basic problems of our country, namely, peace, justice, and development." Sources: CBCP Statements, Union of Catholic Asian News