MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be given a chance to complete her term, Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinense said.
Cinense, in a statement posted on the website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said it would be “an expensive affair†that would worsen the country’s economy to conduct snap elections should Arroyo resign or be ousted.
Nevertheless, the Tarlac prelate said the administration should strive to clean its public image, which has been tarnished by allegations of corruption.
The bishop said that instead of calling for Arroyo’s ouster, people should demand development projects and cooperate in project implementation.
“Transparency and truthfulness in all spheres should be [the] hallmark of all,†he said.
Cinense also said masses for truth can be held without Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr., pointing out that they have been held in different parts of the country without the witness in the Senate inquiry into the scandal-tainted national broadband network deal.
“The quest for accountability, truth and justice should be a communal activity, not Lozada’s personal battle,†he stressed.
The Tarlac bishop said although he was open to the idea of inviting Lozada to his diocese, such a move would still depend on the collective decision of the diocesan council.
Cinense heads the diocesan council, which is composed of a group of elected or appointed priests of the diocese. To date, the diocesan council has not decided to invite Lozada to its masses.
By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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