Bishops give GMA failing marks

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo received failing grades on six key issues from officials and members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Half of the 44 bishops surveyed by Church-run Radio Veritas gave Mrs. Arroyo failing grades in addressing the problems of poverty, illiteracy and environmental degradation.

They also cited Mrs. Arroyo’s engagement in patronage politics, dishonesty, and failure to win the trust of the people.

The bishops said they believe Mrs. Arroyo destroyed the democratic institution in the country by allowing patronage politics.

The bishops also cited her administration’s lack of transparency particularly on the national broadband network deal with China’s ZTE Corp. and the fertilizer fund scam.

But the prelates acknowledged the top three legacies of Mrs. Arroyo in her nine-year term such as her infrastructure projects, providing economic stability to the country and her pro-life policy.

They also lauded the administration’s “Bigasan sa Parokya” project, land reform program, and the automated election system.

Among the respondents in the survey were CBCP president and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, Catarman Bishop Emmanuel Trance, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinense, Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso, Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David,

Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, Maasin Bishop Precioso Cantillas, Marinduque Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Dumaguete Bishop John Du, Batanes Bishop Camilo Gregorio, Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo, Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, and Novaliches Bishop-emeritus Teodoro Bacani.

Also surveyed were Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud, Occidental Mindoro Bishop Antonio Palang, Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez, La Union Bishop Artemio Rillera, Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Calapan Bishop Warlito Cajandig, Taytay Bishop Edgardo Juanich, Gumaca Bishop Buenaventura Famadico, Bukidnon Bishop Jose Cabantan, Alaminos Bishop Marlo Peralta, Lingayen-Dagupan auxiliary Bishop Renato Mayugba, Pampanga auxiliary Bishop Roberto Mallari, Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon, Antipolo auxiliary Bishop Francisco de Leon, Laoag Bishop Sergio Utleg, Cotabato auxiliary Bishop Jose Bagaforo, Iligan Bishop Elenito Galido, Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra, Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop-emeritus Oscar Cruz.