PHILIPPINES: PHILIPPINE BISHOPS REJECT CALLS FOR PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO TO RESIGN

Record ID: 443054

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: PHILIPPINE BISHOPS REJECT CALLS FOR PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO TO RESIGN
  • Date: 10th July 2005
  • Summary: (BN10) MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JULY 10, 2005) (PALACE VIDEO -ACCESS ALL) 1. TV NEWS CONFERENCE BY THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES (CBCP) 0.05 2. MCU (English) OUTGOING CBCP PRESIDENT, ARCHBISHOP FERNANDO CAPALLA, SAYING: "In the present situation, we believe that no single concrete option regarding President Macapagal Arroyo can claim to be the only one demanded by the gospel. Therefore, in the spirit of humility and truth, we declare our collective decision that we do not demand her resignation. Yet neither do we encourage her simply to dismiss such a goal from others" 0.44 3. SV BISHOPS LISTENING 0.49 4. MCU (English) CAPALLA SAYING: "We recognise that non-violent appeals for her resignation, the demand for truth a commission, and the filing of impeachment case, are not against the gospel. In all these, we remind ourselves, that the just political and moral order is best promoted under these present circumstances by a clear and courageous deference for constitutional processes that call for moral values and natural laws" 1.27 5. SV JOURNALISTS 1.32 6. MCU (English) CAPALLA SAYING: "The admission further eroded the people's trust on the already suspected electoral system. And raised serious questions on the integrity of the elections. Beyond apology is accountability" 1.50 7. SV OF BISHOPS AT PRESS CONFERENCE (2 SHOTS) 2.00 8. LV/SV OF MANILA ARCHBISHOP GAUDENCIO ROSALES PRESIDING SUNDAY MASS (2 SHOTS) 2.09 9. SV CHURCHGOERS LISTENING (2 SHOTS) 2.21 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 25th July 2005 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Reuters ID: LVA4CAH47S1NVB4H5UGA54FRFMBK
  • Story Text: Philippine bishops reject calls for President Arroyo
    to resign


    Influential Roman Catholic bishops in the
    Philippines on Sunday (July 10) rejected calls for President
    Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign, handing the embattled
    president a major reprieve after weeks of turmoil.

    "In the present situation, we believe that no single
    concrete option regarding President Macapagal Arroyo can
    claim to be the only one demanded by the gospel. Therefore,
    in the spirit of humility and truth, we declare our
    collective decision that we do not demand her resignation.

    Yet neither do we encourage her simply to dismiss such a
    goal from others," said Fernando Capalla, outgoing
    president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
    Philippines (CBCP).

    The politically powerful Catholic Church, which played
    a decisive role in the ouster of presidents in 1986 and
    2001, said the clergy's role was to provide moral guidance
    in confusing times and not be "politicians with a
    blueprint".

    But the bishops said Arroyo's apology, for "a lapse of
    judgement" in speaking to an election official while votes
    were being counted last year, was insufficient.

    They demanded the creation of an independent commission
    to look into the allegations of election fraud and
    corruption in her family.

    "We recognise that non-violent appeals for her
    resignation, the demand for truth commission, and the
    filing of impeachment case, are not against the gospel. In
    all these, we remind ourselves, that the just political and moral
    order
    is best promoted under these present
    circumstances by a clear and courageous deference for
    constitutional processes that call for moral values and
    natural laws," Cappala said.

    "The admission further eroded the people's trust on the
    already suspected electoral system. And raised serious
    question on the integrity of the elections. Beyond apology
    is accountability," he added.

    Defying mounting calls on her to quit over allegations
    of election fraud, Arroyo said on Friday she had done no
    wrong and challenged her opponents to pursue an impeachment
    case.

    The opposition is reluctant because of the president's
    majorities in both houses in Congress.

    Arroyo's presidency hung in the balance awaiting
    judgement from the bishops, after the mass resignation of
    her economic team and desertions of political and business
    allies last week.



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