Manila Bishop: I did not call for Arroyo's resignation in 2005

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales denied on Wednesday former Social Welfare Sec. Corazon "Dinky" Soliman's claim that the prelate called for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's resignation during the peak of the "Hello Garci" scandal in 2005. An article posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website quoted Rosales as saying that calling for President Arroyo's resignation is tantamount to "meddling in politics." "I didn't say that. I don't meddle in politics," Rosales said, reacting to reports saying Soliman claimed that the bishop made the quit call after President Arroyo's now famous "I am sorry" speech. Earlier, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said calling for President Arroyo's resignation over allegations of corruption is the people's job and not the Church's. The "Hello Garci" scandal involved taped phone conversations supposedly between then poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and several government personalities, including President Arroyo, during the 2004 elections. It bolstered allegations of cheating in the 2004 elections and led to widespread protests. President Arroyo subsequently confessed that she talked to an elections official, but denied that she ordered the rigging of the elections. She later said she was sorry for what she called "lapse in judgment." - GMANews.TV