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The current crisis and reflections after the latest CBCP statement

By Rev. Marie Sol Villalon
Spokesperson
Promotion of Church People’s Response

July 11, 2005

Even after the soft position of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which did not call for GMA’s resignation, the lay members of the churches and the common Filipino people who expect leaders to be morally upright, honest, trustworthy and genuine servantS of the poor will continue to press for GMA’s resignation. We urge GMA to voluntary resign for the sake of public interest. How can GMA govern amid serious questions on her legitimacy as president?

In these critical times, the wisdom expected from the church must guide the spirit and actions of the faithful to the path of truth instead of lies and half-truths, to justice instead of forgiveness which tolerates grave mockery of democracy. Filipinos deserve a president with moral integrity in leadership and we believe that the church should be teacher and doer of moral integrity.

GMA can never win back the people’s trust after stealing electoral victory and betraying the people’s expectations for urgent socio-economic reforms. The poor have not benefited from GMA’s fake presidency. The people were cheated, insulted and violated. GMA prays and uses the name of God as she vows to save the nation from evil and corruption. But the urgent salvation we demand now is to be saved from GMA’s endless corruption and evil ways.

Again, GMA misused biblical texts by quoting, “I cannot boast about myself except about my weaknesses, but I know in faith that in my own weakness, His power can be made perfect in me to help me become the servant-president for you in the way He wants me to be.”

In the first place, GMA has no right to compare herself to a faithful missionary of God. St. Paul did not cheat the people he served. He did not lie and amassed wealth while doing his mission. GMA should neither quote nor misuse the text because the passage does not fit someone like her who has committed systematic cheating and massive corruption before, during and after the infamous 2004 elections.

GMA is grateful for the CBCP’s stance that will surely increase her arrogance and hypocrisy. But we will continue to pray for strong pastoral and prophetic announcements from the country’s church leaders and their direct participation in the people’s movement for truth, justice and meaningful change.#

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