PCSO uncovers checks issued directly to bishops

MANILA, Philippines - The scandal involving the grant of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to several clergy took a new turn yesterday after the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) uncovered bank checks paid directly to at least five Catholic parishes in various parts of the country.

PCSO director lawyer Aleta Tolentino said that instead of buying the vehicles, the past PCSO administration issued Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) checks to parishes amounting to more than P6 million.

However, at least three of the checks did not jibe with the board resolution that approved the grants for Iligan and Sorsogon City.

On Feb 11, 2009, a check was issued to the Diocese of Cotabato City for the purchase of vehicle amounting to P1,440,998.

Another LBP check was issued to the Zamboanga Archdiocese on June 19, 2009, amounting to P1,540,835, also for the purchase of service vehicles.

An LBP check dated July 2, 2009 amounting to P1,704,147.90 was issued to the Diocese of Butuan, care of Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, another for the Catholic prelate of Isabela, Basilan and a P720,000 check to Caritas Nueva Segovia on Feb, 22, 2010.

Tolentino has earlier confirmed the grant of four-wheel drive services vehicles for the dioceses of Butuan, North Cotabato, Sorsogon, and Iligan City.

In a series of board resolutions in 2009, the former PCSO board approved the grant of two SUVs to Butuan City Bishop Pueblos, one for Rev. Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato, Monsignor Augusto Laban of Sorsogon and Fr. Roger Lood of the parish of Iligan City.

The request of Lood was coursed through Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao, who, in turn, endorsed the letter to President Arroyo on May 29, 2009.

The two SUVs of Pueblos amounting to P1.7 million each was contained in board resolution 783 of June 5, 2009 and resolution 328, dated March 12, 2009.

The PCSO Board approved the grant of two vehicles to the Diocese of Butuan for the use of its various community programs in Caraga.

Tolentino said the Commission on Audit (COA) commented that the grant of the five vehicles violates the constitutional provision that, “No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied or employed directly or indirectly, for the use of, benefit or support to any sect, Church, denomination, except when such priest, preacher or dignitary is assigned to the Armed Forces or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.