NASSA-CBCP: We appeal for sobriety
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.
Politics in our country is no big deal! Our politicians continue to plunder our moral sensitivities, disregard our higher values of statesmanship, love for country, due process and Constitutional law. They do not cease to abuse our patience and our democratic space.From media, we are daily barraged by the empty noise of spin-masters/doctors and public relations consultants. There is a widespread epidemic of unsolicited advice and opinion overload, not to mention text messages which run from wholesome jokes to sickening brouhahas.
We appeal for sobriety, for prayer, for moments of reflection and discernment. In this the year dedicated to the Holy Eucharist and Mother Mary, let us take time out to kneel before the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Prayer for the Eucharistic and Marian Year. Let us call on all our Basic Ecclesiastical Communities to organize prayer brigades around the Eucharist and our Blessed Mother in their barangay chapels during these times.
We also appeal for specific actions:
First, we would like the authenticity of the “tapes” to be established beyond doubt. Who did the wiretapping? How, when and where was it done? How authentic are its contents? Only when the authenticity of the tape contents is established can we entertain analysis and judgment on the substance of the conversation that supposedly took place.
Does the substance of the exchange merit any violation or infraction of the law? Only then should due process of the law be invoked and applied to whoever party is found guilty.
Meanwhile, we strongly call for national solidarity and respect for our Constitution and governance system. Let us allow the Executive to govern. Let us trust Congress to play its part in putting in place the needed legislative reforms. And let us give the Judiciary its rightful role in the interpretation of the law.
Specifically, we call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to make good her promise to make amends. Let her institute the much needed and long delayed programs for poverty alleviation, good governance and peacebuilding. Corruption in government and illegal gambling should be finally fiscalized. Microfinance, land reform, increased subsidy, and creation of market opportunities for our small farmers, housing and employment for our urban poor, respect for the rights and ancestral domains of our Indigenous Peoples. Continue to pursue the peace process and negotiations. Challenge the business community to optimize benefits for the poor sectors in the name of corporate social responsibility. Forge critical collaboration with civil society groups to effect meaningful partnership at the service of the poor.
Finally, let us not allow ourselves to be used as instruments of destabilization. Violence breeds more violence. Peace is our only way forward.
For the CBCP Social Action Network,
Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD (signed)
Chair, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace
