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Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Editorial: A sharply divided country
IT WAS a wise decision by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) not to join the clamor for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to relinquish the presidency.
In a way, their position that Constitutional processes should be availed of to resolve the political crisis and hold Arroyo accountable for talking to an election official during the canvassing period somewhat lessened anxiety in the country because many Filipinos had waited for the CBCP to speak up.
The bishops have a profound influence on the Catholic faithful, who look up to the prelates for guidance. Had the CBCP called for the President to step down, the Arroyo administration would have been a goner.
The CBCP's stand was a slap to the faces of who call on Arroyo to quit. They could have waited for the bishops to state their position so that it could have helped them make such a call.
The country is now sharply divided between those for and against Arroyo.
But we should point out that all the noise and protests against Arroyo are limited only to Manila, where the seat of power is. In the provinces, it is peaceful there and local officials still back arroyo.
Like the bishops, we share their stand that Constitutional processes should be availed of to help resolve the crisis we are in. An impeachment case against the President and an ensuing trial in the Senate if the complaint prospers would be best venue for Arroyo to disprove the accusations against her. Let's give Arroyo her day in court.
(July 13, 2005 issue)
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