Palace lauds bishops for not succumbing to 'propaganda'

The Presidential Palace on Tuesday evening thanked Filipino Catholic bishops for their statement slamming endemic government corruption and without calling President Arroyo's resignation. "We thank the CBCP for not succumbing to the propaganda of rabid oppositionists who are bent on overturning the gains of our strong economy," said Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye. In a text message sent to reporters Tuesday evening, Bunye said the bishops' recommendations addressed to the government and the media "certainly deserve very serious consideration." "We welcome the statement of the [Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines] which exhorts everyone to fight corruption and search for truth," Bunye said. He said the nation deserves a respite from "frantic, irrational and dangerous call for the President to resign, while the real truth has yet to be established by the court of law." "Let us be discerning about the motives of detractors while maintaining a sharp focus on uplifting the lives of the greater peaceful majority," Bunye added. The CBCP statement was issued after a 10-hour emergency meeting. ''We strongly condemn the continuing culture of corruption from the top to the bottom of our social and political ladder,'' the bishops said in a pastoral statement. ''We must seek the truth and we must restore integrity. We are convinced that the search for truth in the midst of charges and allegations must be determined and relentless.'' The statement urged Arroyo and her government to fight graft ''wherever it is found'' and for the president to rescind restrictions on officials testifying without her permission. - GMANews.TV with the Associated Press