Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi explains to BM columnist Sandy Vargas the stand of the Diocese of Caceres regarding the political commotion brought about by Gloriagate. DANNY AUREUS

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who in humility lamented for forgiveness over the Gloriagate scandal, must be held accountable for her official acts as a public servant under the terms provided for by law, Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi of the Archdiocese of Caceres told the Bicol Mail in an interview last Tuesday, July 5.

The first-ever statement on government woes aired by the head of the local Catholic Church attributed to his pastoral visits in the diocese where he felt conformity with the stance of “accountability and constitutionality” by both the conservative group of the Church and the liberal Jesuits.

DIVIDED PEOPLE
According to the Archbishop, the people in search of a better life are divided by the problems confronting the GMA administration which can be compared to headless fowls moving in different direction.

It is the duty of the Church to point out to the laity a reminder to embrace ecclesiastical principles because those unmindful of experiences its history suffer at their own omissions, he said.

“When we are seeking for the truth in upholding justice, violence should never be resorted to. There is the Constitution. This is not only a fundamental law; it is our moral covenant,” the Archbishop added.

The churchman, refusing to be identified with any interest of political groups, agrees on the process of impeachment to decide the fate of the hounded president.

It must be noted that political analysts see the Presidents resignation and people power as two other possible options that can likely emerge from the scandals involving the first family.

Asked to react on these remedies, the church leader commented that people should search deeper into their thoughts asking, are these leaders ready to make sacrifices for the love their country while, uncertain that a genuine people power may evolve from the outbursts, said mass action is not in the scene.

CBCP
It was learned that the CBCP was to convene on this weekend and matters of politics would be taken up. The Archbishop disclosed however that the CBCP is only a coordinative body and it has no right to impose its will on the bishop-members.

This clarification was made in line with the move of several bishops in scouting for replacements of PGMA should the latter be removed from office. “These bishops have their own individual rights to express their opinions” the archbishop said.

Expected to come out of the CBCP conference is the formation of moral and/or pastoral positions of the bishops without adhering to any specific course of action.

Answering question related to the direct hand made by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin during the first People Power Revolution in 1986, Archbishop Legaspi clarified that Cardinal Sin acted in his capacity as the Archbishop of Manila and not of CBCP which does not impose its will on the faithful. The Cardinal was accredited by Archbishop Legaspi for the latter’s instinct in politics so that he used to act, when alive, ahead of the CBCP pronouncements.

ON JUETENG
On matters of illegal numbers game popularly known as Jueteng, Archbishop Legaspi takes a different stand from that of Cagayan’s Bishop Cruz.

The Archbishop supports the Bicol governors who hope to legalize Jueteng.
“Jueteng is bad because of the ways operators are doing: giving payola to public officials and military personnel for protection. But if it is legalized, there will be no payola,” he stressed.

The Archbishop ended the interview with appeals for charity and unity among Filipinos in meeting the troubled times besetting Philippine politics.