Bishops urge GMA to speak up on PCSO-funded SUVs

Some Catholic bishops have urged former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to break her silence on the current Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) fund controversy.

“To hear the side of GMA will help (us) to have the truth," Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said, referring to the former President’s initials.

Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos said, “That’s one good suggestion — for her to speak up."

“Mabuti na ipaliwanag niya kung bakit. Nararapat lang kung siya ang nag-endorse, dapat ipaliwanag niya. Palagay ko, makakabuti pa nga ‘yun sa mga obispo kapag sinabi niya ang dahilan, eh," Bishop emeritus Teodoro Bacani said.

However, Bacani and Iñiguez doubt that Arroyo will speak up given her history of being silent on controversial issues.

Seven Catholic prelates have reportedly received PCSO funds to buy sport utility vehicles during in the time of Arroyo’s presidency.

Pueblos got a Mitsubishi Montero Sport; Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, a Nissan Pathfinder; Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, a Mitsubishi Strada; and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, a Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad bought a Mitsubishi Strada; Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles, a Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace; and Nueva Segovia Archbishop Ernesto Salgado, an Isuzu Crosswind.

On Monday, the CBCP apologized for the pain the controversy has caused among Filipino Catholics, noting that the bishops in the controversy are ready to face the Senate probe and the possible consequences. — ELR, VS, GMA News