On the continuing search for truth:
People Power May Be an Option, Says Bishop

With the dismissal of all three impeachment complaints at the House of Representatives, what route is to be taken in the search for truth? Bulatlat interviewed Bishop Deogracias Yñiguez, chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ Commission on Ecumenical Affairs, for his reflections on the CBCP position on the issue.

BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
Bulatlat

For weeks since early July, most of the country looked to Congress as an important venue where the truth surrounding the crisis of the Arroyo government could be ferreted out.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been facing calls for her resignation or removal from office because of alleged corruption and what cause-oriented groups describe as her government’s imposition of “anti-national and anti-people” policies. These calls were intensified following renewed allegations that she cheated her way to victory in the 2004 elections.

Part of the search for truth was the filing of impeachment complaints against the president.

There were three impeachment cases filed all in all, but people’s organizations and the House minority bloc gravitated toward an impeachment complaint that charged Arroyo with bribery, graft and corrupt practices, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution. Falling under culpable violation of the Constitution is complicity in human rights violations committed by state forces under her watch.

With the dismissal of all three impeachment complaints at the House of Representatives, what route is to be taken in the search for truth?

The influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a statement following the dismissal of the impeachment complaints at the House plenary session Sept. 6. Signed by Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, CBCP president, the statement reads as follows:

1. The search for truth must continue and be guided by the principles of the rule of law provided for in the Constitution, and by the moral principles of justice and the common good as we stated in our July 10, 2005 Pastoral Statement.
2. We should now move forward and address the more important and urgent problem of grinding poverty of our people – poverty which has to a considerable degree been caused by excessive politicking. Let us not further contribute to this poverty by our inordinate involvement in activities that further oppress the poor and divide our people.
3. As stated also in our July 10 Statement, we remind our people – especially our Basic Ecclesial Communities, lay organizations and movements – that the political arena is their responsibility as baptized Catholics.
4. We again exhort our people to intensify prayer – sustained communal and personal prayer which will open our hearts to the God among us.
5. Finally, as your pastors, we appeal to the people to meet our present tasks sobriety and a faith in a God who loves and cares for us. Let us see our present situation as a God-given challenge to grow and mature as a people.

Bulatlat interviewed Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Yñiguez, who is also chairman of the CBCP Commission on Ecumenical Affairs, on the implications of the said statement. Below are excerpts from the interview:

What is your reaction to the new CBCP statement on the continuing search for truth?

I think the key part there is that the political crisis remains, and so the CBCP is desirous of being able to utilize legal forums where this truth could come out for everyone to know.

But at the same time, we should be aware that there is also an economic crisis, which is affecting more and more of our people. We should not close our eyes and be distracted by the political crisis from the economic crisis.

How is the search for truth to be continued given the dismissal of the impeachment complaints?

The CBCP remains opposed to violent ways or those that are not within the parameters of the law.

I think we have to consult with the legal minds of the land to find out if at present, with

the closing of the doors to impeachment, there are other means. Like now, I just read in the newspaper that the question has been raised to the Supreme Court.

So maybe the impeachment can still be done, or a process similar to that. So we are hopeful that there are other ways within the ambit of the law.

What do you think of the People’s Tribunal to try President Arroyo as proposed by some groups, particularly a few within the Bukluran para sa Katotohanan?

Personally, I find that although it will have the same effect as the impeachment process or the court I’m very much in favor if there are no other avenues left. At least, even if it will not be official, there will be a way of bringing out the truth.

Hopefully, a chance will also be given to the accused to defend themselves.

That will be a very, very viable option.

I also read in the newspaper that starting Monday, the opposition will – I think every week – be presenting some cases against the President and the government.

If there really is no other way, we would welcome that.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz recently wrote an essay saying that “Protest marchers, noise barrages, public rallies are but expression of exasperation. These are the effects not the cause of socio-political instability. These are the products not the origin of socio-economic crisis.” What can you say about this?

I think that’s something to be expected. Because the people or the sectors of the people that are really interested for the truth to come out have not given up, and if the legal means finally prove futile, they will resort to the streets.

On the problem of grinding poverty as tackled in the CBCP statement, how is the nation to confront the economic crisis amid the continuing political crisis?

That’s why the CBCP says that we should not lose focus. There is a political crisis which is actually dividing us, and there are these clamors for truth to come out, but we should not be distracted from the economic crisis which is already hurting the people.

What do you think of the calls from certain sectors for another People Power?

You know, I was able to talk to someone about that and I’d like to get further verification. A congressman who is also a lawyer said the Constitution is open to People Power, that People Power is a legal expression of the will of the people.

If that is so, following the CBCP, if that is really legal, then that may be one of the options.

So if People Power turns out to be really legal as the congressman said, then that would also be within the ambit of the CBCP statement?

Yes, and if there really is no other means, then I think it will be within what the CBCP is saying. Bulatlat

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