Bishops in PCSO fund mess should not take leave - bishop

MANILA, Philippines - Bishops linked to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) fund scam should not take a leave of absence because they have obligations to their respective dioceses, a retired archbishop said yesterday.

Retired Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal made the statement after running priest Roberto Reyes suggested that Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos take a leave of absence due to the controversy.

“I don’t think that’s possible because they have a diocese to take care of,” Vidal said in an interview.

“What if somebody is dying? Who will take care of those in need of spiritual attention?” he said.

Vidal said it is only the Pope who can make a decision on whether or not a bishop should take a leave.

Vidal has initiated the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ probe on the PCSO fund mess involving some prelates since he chairs the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Bishops’ Concern.

On Saturday, the CBCP announced that the investigation has been elevated to their Permanent Council due to the urgency of the matter.

The PCSO earlier accused some bishops of receiving donations and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) from former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for political patronage.

The bishops who reportedly received SUVs from the PCSO were Pueblos, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Bontoc Lagawe Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles and Nueva Segovia Bishop Ernesto Salgado.

Defined position

Meantime, the CBCP is expected to issue a major statement today on various controversial issues, including the PCSO fund scam.

“It’s possible that it (CBCP) will come out with a more defined position on its former pastoral statement on the prohibition of receiving money from legal and illegal gambling activities,” a highly placed source in the CBCP said.

The CBCP issued a pastoral statement in January 2005, prohibiting its members from “soliciting or receiving funds from illegal and legal gambling so as not to promote a culture of gambling.”

The 103rd Plenary Assembly of the CBCP being held at the Pope Pius Catholic Center in Manila will conclude today. The CBCP is set to hold a press conference this afternoon.

CBCP Media Office Director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said the PCSO controversy was among the issues discussed during the three-day meeting.

“Looking at the discussions, it (PCSO fund scam) is likely to be included (in its statement),” Quitorio told reporters.

He said other issues that were tackled were mining, and the bills on reproductive health and divorce.

The Plenary Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the CBCP and convenes every January and July.