Filipino bishops will return vehicles donated by government office
July 08, 2011
Catholic bishops in the Philippines have announced that they will return luxury vehicles they received as gifts from the government’s Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Political leaders have scolded the bishops for accepting gifts from the Sweepstakes Office, charging that the hierarchy was too close to the government of former President Gloria Magapagal-Arroyo. The charges of corruption have clearly been designed to weaken the bishops’ opposition to proposed family-planning legislation.
The Filipino bishops’ conference issued a statement this week saying that the gifts were used for legitimate charitable purposes. While denying any wrongdoing, the bishops nevertheless said that they would accept any legal consequences of receiving the gifts.
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Further information:
- Filipino Catholic bishops to return SUVs to lottery agency (AHN)
- Philippines: bishops' 'conscience is clear' on sweepstakes gifts (CWN, 7/6)
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