This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 33, September 25-October 1, 2005
On the continuing search
for truth: 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 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: 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 © 2005 Bulatlat
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People Power May Be an Option, Says Bishop
Bulatlat