Inside PCIJ: Stories behind our stories

IN THE strongest statement yet to come from the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales lays down the basic principles by which, he says, the Filipino people must proceed to solve the current political crisis. The Archbishop begins by saying, “the offended cannot simply be consoled by expressions of regret.”

Speaking four days after President Arroyo’s apology, the church leader says forgiveness “should not block the search for truth.” He ends with a reminder for people to remain calm, and not to give in to despair.

The Unity We Need

“The power of God brought it about that the people were of one mind to carry out the command … in accordance with the word of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 30:12)

Once again, we, Filipinos, find ourselves going through very hard times. Many are poor, hungry, searching for a better life for themselves and their families. If only we would just focus our minds and hearts, and work together to find solutions to the poverty that has not ceased to plague us, we might find ourselves moving forward as a nation. Instead, our national attention and energies are taken up by division and altercations. Serious charges have been made against our leaders and officials. Despite expressions of regret, many remain angry, confused, hurt. In this situation, as your shepherd and pastor, I wish to call to mind fundamental principles that should govern our search for solutions to our present crisis.

First, let us remember that the offended cannot simply be consoled by expressions of regret. Forgiveness does not eliminate the need for justice, nor should it block the search for truth. Genuine forgiveness demands more than an apology, and those who seek forgiveness should be ready to be called to accountability.

Second, the pursuit of truth regarding the grave charges against leaders and officials should be conducted within the provisions of our Constitution and should respect the laws of the land. Any proposition that disregards our constitutional and legal systems weakens our institutions and paves the way for a graver instability that can cause more profound suffering to our people.

Third, any proposed solution to our present situation that relies on or leads to violence is unacceptable. Violence harms the innocent and inflicts wounds so deep that will take generations to heal.

Fourth, we ask our leaders to give our people hope, by giving immediate attention to authentic reform. Political systems that are prone to corruption must be swiftly and decisively reformed, and institutions built that can effectively respond to the aspirations of our people for a better life.

Finally, in these confusing times when people are easily swayed by emotions and led astray by quick-fix solutions, may cooler heads prevail. Let true lovers of the Filipino people come together to discern carefully before God, what is truly for the immediate and long-run good of our country. Let us not fall easy prey to those self-seeking politicians from all the different political parties, who have held the country’s future hostage to their own ambitions, and have brought us to where we sadly find ourselves today.

Let us not also give in to despair, seeing only what is wrong in our country, when there is, in truth, so much that is good done daily by Filipinos from all walks of life to build up the nation. Our recurring problems of political instability may cause us to lose hope, but if we humbly accept that we are all sinners in need of conversion, it will be easier for us to unite.

I ask then that, in these times of uncertainty, we join in fervent prayer and prayerful reflection, that the Lord show us the way forward, as He has done in the past, and that He may give us yet another chance to be one. Let us place our trust in His continued love and care for our people, especially those who are poor. May our Blessed Mother find joy in the Filipino people, for she loves to see us listen to her Son.

Gaudencio B. Rosales, D.D., Archbishop of Manila (signed)
and the Bishops of the Metropolitan Province of Manila
1 July 2005

SENATE President Franklin Drilon is calling on the Commission on Elections to make good on its promise to purge its ranks in ARMM of officials involved in poll irregularities.

In a letter to Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos, Drilon expressed alarm over reports that the suspension of ARMM Regional director Renato Magbutay (wrongly named as Mabugay in the letter), allegedly implicated in the wiretapped phone conversations, has never taken effect. Drilon quotes Magbutay himself as having said that the order was issued “for media purposes” only. Magbutay was identified by sources of the PCIJ as the “Boy” in the phone conversations with Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. Sources also described him as a “Garcillano protégé” who took over the ARMM Comelec office four days before the May 10 elections.

Drilon issued the call in light of the scheduled ARMM elections on August 8. He urged the Comelec to overhaul the ARMM office in the region to ensure a “credible, orderly, peaceful and honest” elections. Drilon also sought for the immediate relief of military and police commanders in the ARMM perceived to be in favor of certain candidates.

The full text of Sen. Drilon’s June 29 letter:

Dear Chairman Abalos:

This is to express my alarm over reports indicating that your recent order to suspend ARMM Comelec officials who were implicated in the controversial wiretapped phone conversations never took effect and was allegedly made “for media’s consumption only.” (more…)

THE NATIONAL Secretariat for Social Action, Justice & Peace (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) adds its voice to the discussions following President Arroyo’s explanation of why she phoned an election official during the canvassing. NASSA calls on the people to pray, observe sobriety, and have more faith in government, while making an appeal to the president to deliver on her promises. Following is the full text of NASSA’s June 30 statement.

A Call for Sobriety and Non-Violence in the Face of the Present Political Turmoil

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has made public admission of her voice on the taped conversation with a Comelec official, has apologized and has asked forgiveness from the Filipino people for a “lapse of judgment.” “ … let him (her) who to no sin, cast the first stone,” (Jn 8:7)

We admire her courage and humility for owning to a fault, taking full responsibility for it and promising to make up for it by seriously taking on the gargantuan task of implementing needed government reforms to turn around the increasingly burdensome toll on the life of Juan de la Cruz in today’s Philippines.

Our economy is in very bad shape. The peso continues to nosedive and investments are on a standstill. Costs of living, transportation, consumer goods, and energy are on the rise. (more…)

FORMER President Corazon Aquino yesterday called on Filipinos to seek enlightenment from prayer in these troubled times. This is her statement.

People power has succeeded only if it is for others. It was so in 1986, when those who led the revolution led from the front; it was so in 2001. But People Power for oneself will never succeed.

I, too, have been pressured to speak up. Excuse me but I had a good reason to keep my peace until I was ready. I was praying. Praying for light, for myself and our country.
Last night, I paid a call on Susan Sonora Poe. I congratulated her on the passion of her speech, and the sincerity of her convictions. But I made it clear that I will always stand by the Constitution.

I believe that the Constitution contains all the ways by which one may safely effect even the most difficult political changes. There is no need to step outside it. To step outside the Constitution will only expose us to greater danger than the injustice we want to correct. (more…)