|
|
Monday, July 10, 2006
Bishops says no to impeachment as process to find truth (3:30 p.m.)
MANILA - The influential Roman Catholic bishops on Monday are not supporting the impeachment process against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a means of establishing the truth behind allegations of cheating during the 2004 elections.
"In the light of previous circumstances we are not inclined at the present moment to favor the impeachment process as the means for establishing the truth," the bishops said in a pastoral statement released Monday.
In a statement after a two-day retreat, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said it respected "the position of individuals or groups that wish to continue using the impeachment process to arrive at the truth."
The bishops said "unless the process and its rule as well as the mindsets of all the participating parties -- pro and con -- are guided by no other motive that genuine concern for the common good, impeachment will once again serve as an unproductive political exercise dismaying every citizen and deepening the citizens negative perceptions of politicians left, right and center."
On Charter change, the bishops reiterated it call that elections in 2007 must not be cancelled.
"While we agree that certain aspects of our Constitution may need amendments and revisions we do not support efforts to change this fundamental law of the land without the widespread discussion and participation that such changes require," the statement said.
The bishops believe that Charter change is best done through constitutional convention.
"The reasons for Constitutional change must be based on the common good rather that self-serving interest or the interest of political dynasties," the statement further said.(Sunnex) |
|
|
|
