CBCP’s moral guidance for GMA
Moral guidance for GMA
“We are moral teachers,” said the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. As such, they are shying away from what they consider as “political” positions and statements and instead, stated that they “xxx ask the President to discern deeply to what extent she might have contributed to the erosion of effective governance and whether the erosion is so severe as to be irreversible. In her heart she has to make the necessary decision for the sake of the country.” Discern, “mag nilay nilay” in Pilipino .
But how can this moral guidance by the CBCP strike the conscience of GMA? She herself said that she was guided by God in her decisions, so as far as she is concerned, her decision is final. She is not resigning, period. She is not saying what reforms she is going to accomplish either. We, the people, just have to trust that she will move the country forward. When one invokes God’s word for her political actions or decisions, I seriously doubt if she will still have the humility to accept that she is wrong. After all, who can argue with God? One has to wonder if GMA would have conceded had the CBCP asked her to resign. I doubt if she would have, although the pressure on her would have mounted. Not one of the bishops in the CBCP, unless I am mistaken, is her personal pastor. So it was quite telling how the bishops laughed when asked by a reporter if GMA is a good Catholic.
The CBCP did say that an apology is not enough, and they stated that an impeachment or truth commission are not against the gospel Still, the CBCP’s prudent statement has put a damper on the momentum against GMA. I think that the CBCP wanted to emphasize non-violence as a solution to the crisis, hence their cautiousness. But it has not stopped other priests from asking questions, including the University of the Philippines’ parish priest, Fr. Robert Reyes, who said that the CBCP statement was vague and confusing. He is now on hunger strike, and where else can you get a more sympathetic audience than in U.P.
If this were a chess game, the CBCP’s move is seen by GMA as a move against the bishops of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines and the Jesus is Lord Movement of Brother Eddie Villanueva. Her cabinet (an all male cast without Pat Sto. Tomas on television) have declared an all-out war against their former pals Dinky Soliman, Butch Abad, Cesar Purisima, Santos, Rene Villa et al. GMA’s congressmen versus the opposition led by Chiz Escudero. And the heaviest blow to GMA, former President Cory Aquino’s move was countered by Fidel Ramos’ move to GMA’s side.
FVR has some military backing by retired and some active generals, aside from his leadership in Lakas. GMA’s allies think that this will counter any defection by the military to the “GMA resign” side. But can this prevent young officers who want reforms to stage another “Oakwood mutiny?” He came to rescue GMA at her weakest time, so he is now her hero and “manong.” Although FVR denies that he is soon going to be a “de facto president” because of the debt of the gratitude of GMA to him, people will not believe that he has nothing to gain by what he did. Constitutional change to parliamentary form of government with FVR as Primer Minister? His solution to our crisis : GMA stays as president, but with a 7-man High Commission. Pardon me, but I did not know that they have already amended the Constitution. Which Article in the Constitution is this High Commission? How will this assure the people that genuine reforms will take place? You can call it by any other name, but this could very well be a junta disguised as wise men (my women leader friends were laughing, we object to this because they are seven men, no women). Subtle, very subtle, like good tobacco.
So it is a stalemate. GMA digs in. But for how long, and at what cost to our economy? But as an analyst said, “pag tabla, talo si Gloria” (if it’s a stalemate, Gloria losses). Will an impeachment really satisfy the people’s demands? How can this be acceptable when the political allies of GMA are surely going to block this? A Truth Commission created by GMA herself? Our Congress, because it is controlled by traditional politicians who are masters in horse trading and pork barrel, cannot be trusted to give us a solution that the people can accept.
Any more innovative ideas out there? Will there be a CPCP statement part two? Because if there is none, the scenario of more people going to the streets, with the GMA forces using repressive moves, is going to be a nightmare.*
