MANILA, Philippines - Two bishops on Friday defended the former rector of Quiapo Church who allegedly received donations from the family of businesswoman Janet Napoles, the alleged brains behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam.
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said that Monsignor Josefino Ramirez, ex-Quiapo church rector, received the donation from Napoles' family in good faith.
"Kahit sino, walang nagsabi na 'yan ay ginamit o komisyon mula doon sa pork barrel ng mga mambabatas...And the name Napoles before was a good name.Hindi naman niya siguro ini-issue before 'saan kaya nangagaling ang pera na ito?".
"Kaibigan na niya (Ramirez) yung nanay ni Napoles na mabuting tao at walang nagdududa. Kung tinutulungan siya nung anak nung kaibigan niya, hindi kataka-taka yan," Bishop Bacani told Radyo Veritas.
A newspaper report said that Monsignor Ramirez received cash donation from Magdalena Luy Lim Foundation for the apostolate project of the Divine Mercy.
Bishop Bacani also noted that under the Canon Law, members or officials of the Church should not receive any donation which they know comes from a individual or group that has "questionable reputation."
For his part, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said that the most important thing to remember was that the donations were properly utilized and put to good use.
"Maliban sa kilalang tao na corrupt, druglord, gambling lord at masama, hindi mo maaring itanong kung saan nanggaling ang kanyang donasyon," the prelate said.