CBCP prexy backs anti-chacha alliance
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo recently gave his nod and blessing to the convenors of the newly-formed alliance Ilonggos' Movement Against Arroyo's Cha-Cha (I March).
The convenors of I March presented their stand and views about the so-called "people's initiative" initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). They also informed the archbishop of cases of intimidations, blackmails, deceptions and harassments that the initiators of people's initiative has resorted to.
I MARCH asked Msgr. Lagdameo for his support to their stand against Charter Change as it is definitely not for the best interest of the majority of the Filipino people as reflected also in the CBCP Pastoral Statement that said: " . . . charter change can only be morally justifiable if the revisions being proposed will lead to authentic reforms and development for the nation. Changes must assure shifts towards: principled politics, transparency and accountability, electoral and institutional reform, and more efficient delivery of services to the people, especially the poorest."
A copy of the Pastoral Statement was given to the group.
Msgr. Lagdameo and I March agree that now is not the right time to change the Charter. It is also their common observation that proper education and information dissemination were not carried out to enlighten the masses during the signing of the so-called people's initiative.
It is in this context that Msgr. Lagdameo gave his nod to "go ahead" with the petition of I MARCH to the different parishes and basic communities to junk DILG's Charter Change through people's initiative.
Before I March left the meeting, Msgr. Lagdameo gave his blessing to the group that is working for the interest and the good of the people.