ARCHDIOCESE OF LINGAYEN-DAGUPAN STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP OSCAR V. CRUZ ON CONGRESS MOVE TO IMPEACH CHIEF JUSTICE HILARIO DAVIDE

IMPLOSION

Our country needs no foreign enemies, requires no defense against foreign aggression. Reason: the nation has Filipinos who insist on destroying it, has its own nationals who persist in wasting it.

The really sad thing is that the demolition job is done by no less than some of our legislative officials. And their target is the Supreme Court – the highest tribunal of the land, which is the last recourse of citizens for the civilized resolution of their disputes.

The reckless attack by certain congressmen against the Chief Justice as their key target is an ominous sign of worst things to come. It is not enough that the country has crime lords and drug lords, war lords and gambling lords. It is neither enough that the nation is already reeling in poverty, discontent and cynicism.

We now have a new breed of dangerous individuals in our country: those experts in destabilizing the country and those avowed to tear the nation apart.

Partisan politics is not rising over and above the elementary norm of right and wrong. Self-interests are now becoming immune to the dictates of conscience and prudence. The emerging realities in our country seem to reinforce the painful accusation by foreigner s that the Filipinos are a hopeless race. To which I must answer: It is not us who are hopeless, but simply some of our own leaders who are bringing us to hopelessness.

Would that our Senate rightly and bravely put an outright stop to the insidious assault against the Supreme Court. Would that our senators see the liability and vanity of the infamous impeachment case in its substantive content and constitutional danger.

Otherwise, our dear country is heading for its own pitiful and irreparable implosion.

(Sgd.) ABP. OSCAR V. CRUZ, D.D.

Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
Former President, CBCP
27 October 2003

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES
(Episcopal Commission on Social Action-Justice and Peace)

LET US NOT ALLOW SELFISH INTERESTS
TO SUBVERT OUR DEMOCRACY

Pastoral Statement

27 October 2003

For political expediency, some congresspersons, through an impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, are willing to subvert our democracy.

The dynamics governing the impeachment complaint is a clear sign of an established truth: that political convenience is the element that defines government. It shows the malignance of a disease with no fast remedy in sight. The impeachment complaint is a circus orchestrated by politicians and their patrons. To advance their careers, politicians become the pawns of kingmakers. To protect selfish interests, these kingmakers audaciously exploit politicians who are promised access to campaign resources.

In his papal encyclical Centesimus Anmus, Pope John Paul II explains how the Church values the democratic system and how the Church disapproves “the formation of narrow ruling groups which usurp the power of the State or the individual interests.” (#46)

By seeking to demolish Chief Justice Davide, who in his official capacity has consistently upheld democracy, forces behind the impeachment complaint are weakening our democratic system.

Our democracy is something we Filipinos fought hard for: Our ancestors have struggled for it. It has been threatened time and again but we never tire reclaiming it. It is our duty to deflect selfish interests from demolishing our democracy.

The national Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (NASSA) is praying for the enlightenment of the endorsers of the impeachment complaint and those who have incited them. More importantly, NASSA is praying for the preservation of our democracy.

In Christ,

+BISHOP DINUALDO GUTIERREZ, D.D.
Chair, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace

STATEMENT OF CONCERN AND PROTEST
BY THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF SORSOGON
OVER THE IMPEACHMENT OF
CHIEF JUSTICE HILARIO DAVIDE, JR.
BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

(28 OCTOBER)

Bishop of Sorsogon, Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, D.D., and all the members of the Clergy of Diocese of Sorsogon this morning as they gathered for a mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.

The impeachment of Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. of the Supreme Court by the House of Representatives forces the Clergy of the Diocese of Sorsogon to come out publicly with its sentiments and raise its concern and protest over this very sad development in the history of our country.

It is rare for the Clergy of Sorsogon to make known to the public its collective opinion and concern over political matters. However, on the issue of the impeachment against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, this time, we the Clergy, take an exception. We make this exceptional move in the interest of preserving democracy and national stability, upholding justice and truth and expressing disgust and exasperation over too much dirty politics in the affairs of our beloved country. And if, because of this impeachment issue, our beloved faith are now confused and anxious, let this, our statement serve to guide you in making your own right judgement.

This impeachment of the Chief Justice reeks with political, selfish and self-serving and business motives. While we recognize that no one is above the law, including the Chief Justice of the highest court of the land, it has become clear and simple for us, ordinary citizens of this country, members of the clergy as we are, to see that the case against Chief Justice Davide on the use of the Judicial Development Fund filed by arrogant members of the House of Representatives does not merit impeachment. If indeed there was misappropriation or impropriety in the use of the JDF, it should probably be an administrative case and not impeachment that is the proper case that should be filed against the Chief Justice.

Furthermore, the 1987 Philippine Constitution in Article XI, Section 3. No. 5 expressly provides that “No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.” Having failed to satisfy the necessary process to impeach Justice Davide the first time within this year over the issue of his having, allegedly plotted to oust former Pres. Estrada and install President Macapagal-Arroyo, this second impeachment is thus a clear violation of the Constitution. The lawmakers who are none other than the members of the House of representatives should be the first ones to know this Constitutional provision and uphold its sanctity.

The impeachment of Chief Justice Davide, coming at a chapter in our nation’s history when, after a very long time, most of the cases of ill-gotten wealth against the Marcoses and their cronies, most notably Mr. Danding Cojuangco, are now being resolved mostly in favor of the Filipino people by the sitting Davide Supreme Court, is a very clear machination and evil plot by Mr. Cojuangco and his agents in the House of Representatives to stop this victory by the people. Thus to impeach the Chief Justice so that the political and business interests of one man or group could be protected is an immoral move that cries for justice to high heavens!

At a time when crisis after crisis our beloved country is being besieged from all directions, the Abbu Sayyaf, the insurgency, the falling economy, the oakwood mutiny, unabated employment, mudslinging and politicking as in the Jose Pidal issue and countless others – we cannot but cry out in the loudest terms possible: enough of too much politics! Enough of destabilization! Enough of hate and vicious attacks! In pain and pity for our people we cry out – enough is enough!

Thus, in our collective reflection and study, we, the Clergy of the Diocese of Sorsogan declare:

We protest the way our democratic institutions, processes and traditions are being destroyed, abused and trampled upon especially by the very people we had hoped will protect and defend them.

We condemn this malicious and evil attack on the Supreme Court that could result in a national crisis that will only bring more suffering and hardships to our already very poor and suffering people.

We raise serious concern over the motives and agenda of the members of the House of Representatives who signed t he impeachment against Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr.

Finally, we ask everyone, all peace and democracy-loving Filipinos to go back to God and to pray, that this beautiful country may not be divided and destroyed by mere mortal men and women whose actions will always be accountable to the supreme Judge and Lawmaker of all-the Lord our God.

SCANDAL

Time and again the Holy Father himself raised his voice about the scandal in the world. People killing one another. Few nations wallowing in abundance while many others dying of hunger. Public officials using their power for self-service instead of serving others. Billions spent for the manufacture of weapons but mere token amounts used for production of good and medicine.

But the Holy father has neither failed in also raising his voice repeatedly against the scandal in the church. Clerics blatantly violating their commitment, openly betraying their ministry, shamelessly hurting the Church seriously tempting the faith of people.

Specifically in the context of this country, both the Philippine government and the Philippine Hierarchy have to satisfactorily respond to their respective obtaining challenge: the government to check the scandal of corruption. The hierarchy to correct the scandal of misbehaving clerics.

The government through the national leadership has the opportunity specially up to May 2004, to show its worth in counteracting corruption in public offices. The government owes this to the thousands of upright public officials.

The hierarchy, through the CBCP, has neither all the time in cleaning the ranks of the clergy. The hierarchy too owes this to the hundreds of exemplary clerics in the country.

Otherwise: Public corruption breeds more corruption. Clerical scandal causes more scandal.

Concretely regarding the Church, all that is holy and sacred therein is the gift of God. And all that is shameful and detestable therein is the doing of man.

+Oscar V. Cruz

Archbishop
ARCHDIOCESE OF LINGAYEN-DAGUPAN