SORSOGON CITY -- Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes cautioned his colleagues in the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines in calling for the ouster of Pres. Arroyo even as he advised the president to “follow the Ten Commandments”.

        Bastes made the statement as the Sorsogon diocese prepared for a “communal action” last Tuesday to “ferret out the truth” in the on-going NBN-ZTE scandal that is rocking the Arroyo administration.

        In an interview, the prelate said church leaders, especially the bishops, must avoid calling for “political action” saying that politics is outside their “competence” and that the “church is not an expert in political action.”

        Reacting to earlier statements by some bishops, Bastes said the church must be careful so that they would not be used by various political groups who might have vested interests, whether pro - or anti-administration.

        He, however, stressed that the “church is for the truth and good governance, and espouses democracy, righteousness, upholds the rule of law, and follows the rules and the constitution.”

        He said all must be taken into account before taking an action. But he added “it is not for the church to decide what political action to take”.

        Bastes said he respects the bishops who were very vocal about their anti-Arroyo sentiments saying they have their reasons but “these are exceptional and most bishop, want to remain silent.”

        He, however, clarified that he was not taking any side in the scandal issue that hounds the Arroyo administration particularly the NBN-ZTE scandal that is the subject of investigations in the Senate.

        The bishop said the problem with the Senate hearings on the scandal is that they “are not reflective of the truth as it is not within the context of the court, unlike the Erap’s trial where there were cross-examinations.”

        So the issue must be brought before the court,” Bishop Bastes said, as he described the on-going Senate hearing as a “showbiz hearing.”

        The bishop said the problem on corruption in the country has become part of the culture and that it needs long-term solutions.

        Everyone is swimming in the sea of corruption, including the president, he said, adding that this could be traced primarily to the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos which had taken root in the Filipino society.

        The prelate said the president is a victim of the corrupt system that is destroying society and that the church could also be part the problem.

        “Our socio-politico situation at present is very unstable as it is being controlled by oligarchs and big business,” he pointed out.

        “Gone were the days when government service was a source of pride and honor for the family and corruption was a taboo,” Bastes lamented, saying he was able to experience such period in history when his father served as a town mayor in Bohol for 16 years.

        Bastes said that as part of the long-term solution, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, through the Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate which he chairs, will be distributing 250,000 copies of the Bible to the men and women of the Armed Forces, the police and other uniformed services in the government.

        We must go back to our Bible, to praying, so that we will be enlightened, that’s why we are holding a prayer rally as part of the “communal action” by the church, he said.

        Meanwhile, the League of Municipalities had also taken a stand on the issue and threw their support behind Pres. Arroyo.

        Bulusan Mayor and League president Johnny Guysayko said the mayors were unanimous in their support for the Arroyo administration.

        Guysayko made the league’s position known during a forum organized by the provincial government which focused on the NBN-ZTE scandal.

        Provincial Administrator Atty. Manuel Fortez said they decided to hold a forum to enlighten the public about the Senate hearing which had somehow muddled the issue.

        Fortez said those who participated in the forum were unanimous in their stand that the ZTE-NBN issue must now be given to the regular courts so it could be properly resolved.