THE five members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) who earlier called for a change in the country's leadership could be planning to join politics in 2010.

This was the opinion made by House Speaker Prospero Nograles in an interview in Davao City Wednesday evening.

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Nograles said it is possible that CBCP president Angel Lagdameo, Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon, and Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra would be joining the bandwagon of clerics joining politics.

"Maybe the five bishops will also do a Panlilio. Kung wala silang (If they don’t have a) following, they would not be pontificating like that," Nograles said.

He said it is also possible that the enemies of the administration are using the bishops to influence the people to rise against the government. Nograles, however, said the five bishops do not speak for the entire Church.

"Let's also be fair here. Sometimes even the bishops are not united here. Some said the others are overstepping the bounds of religion and state. I can understand their stand on reproductive health but I can't understand when they start talking about changing the leadership of this country," Nograles said.

The Speaker cautioned the five bishops, saying they are treading along a very dangerous path.

"That's seditious, I think they should be extra careful in a very dangerous proposition," he said.

Asked to react on Bishop Cruz's statement dismissing him the Speaker as possible replacement for the presidency in case President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is ousted, Nograles said there is a law of succession and it must be followed. (BOT)

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(November 1, 2008 issue)
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