Philippines: bishops' leader says government corrupt; cabinet minister charges sedition
October 29, 2008
The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has charged that the government led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is corrupt and ineffective. The statement drew an angry response from one Arroyo cabinet member, who charged the prelate with sedition.
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, speaking for the episcopal conference, had concentrated at first on the government's domestic policy, saying that "the benefits of the much-proclaimed economic growth are not felt by the masses." But he went on to say that the government must be purged of the "cancer" of corruption, and when asked whether President Arroyo is corrupt, the archbishop answered directly: "Yes.'
“Strictly speaking, those (statements) are seditious,” charged justice minister Raul Gonzalez.
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Further information:
- Strongest condemnation yet by bishops (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Govt lashes back at bishops over ‘seditious’ statement (GMANews.TV)
- Church leaders ready to back Arroyo’s ouster? (ABS/CBN)
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