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Saturday, July 22, 2006
Vidal says he signed letter
CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal admitted signing a solicitation letter asking for P500,000 for a foundation but said it was "wrongly" addressed.
When interviewed last Sunday by Sun.Star Cebu, Vidal said he did not know anything about the letter as he just arrived from Valencia, Spain for the 5th World Meeting of the Families.
But yesterday, he made a clarification through Cebu archdiocesan media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay.
Dakay told reporters that the cardinal indeed signed a solicitation letter addressed to Philip Romualdez, president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines. It was dated April 10, 2006.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is opposed to mining.
Dakay explained that while the cardinal signed the letter, his friends from Manila who intend to put up a foundation in his honor came up with its contents.
Moreover, Dakay said the letter was not for Romualdez as president of the Chamber of Mines, but for Romualdez in his personal capacity.
Vidal recognizes the CBCP's stand against mining.
Personal
In another letter sent to Romualdez, Vidal clarified the matter.
The cardinal's letter dated June 1, 2006 was without Romualdez' title as president of the chamber. It was also sent to his office in Makati City and not to the chamber's office in Pasig City.
"When members of the organizing committee of my foundation suggested your name as donor to our foundation, the invitation was extended to you in your personal capacity and not in behalf of the Chamber of Mines," the letter read.
"My brother-bishops and I have in the past spoken out against mining practices that we feel are detrimental to our country's development," it said.
The cardinal explained that growing up in Marinduque opened his eyes to the destruction brought about by the dumping of mining wastes.
He also found that it was improper for him to solicit and accept funds from the Chamber of Mines.
"I thank you for your willingness, as well as the willingness of the mining industry to provide charitable aid. I am certain that the future will hold many opportunities for the two of us to work together to improve the lives of our less fortunate brothers," Vidal ended the letter.
Retirement
Dakay said the letter dated April 10 was done without malice and it was in fact an act of humility for the foundation to admit that it lacks funding.
"Bearing in mind the basic objectives of the foundation, may I also appeal for your financial support. A donation of P500,000 will greatly provide the seed money to keep my projects ongoing even after my retirement," read the letter.
The projects referred to were the "food-sharing" program for the poor and the continuing program for the "young and promising members of the clergy."
In addition, Romualdez was also asked to be a member of the council of advisers of the foundation.
Chamber
Last May 26, Romualdez replied, saying that he was elated at the invitation.
"We would like to inform you that I have been given a positive reply by our members in the Chamber of Mines regarding your letter and, hopefully, we shall be able to give our donation to your foundation in due time after we have received their voluntary contributions," read Romualdez's letter to the cardinal.
Dakay, though, does not know the name of the cardinal's foundation but said that it is organized in Manila and is supposed to cater to the whole country.
Members of the organizing committee of the foundation are Ambassador Donald Dee, lawyer Mike Varela and Sergio Luis-Ortiz. (JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 22, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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