Questions to PCSO on its So-Called Exposé: The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth?

Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I.  Archbishop of Cotabato

1.     What happened to the first expose that 7 bishops received Pajeros from President Arroyo through PCSO for their personal use? It is quite simple to put a closure to this issue – just look into your records and reveal the names of the Bishops involved. Perhaps leaving the so called expose open ended would serve your motives better? And what really are your motives? To tell the truth? But why do you keep people guessing as to the truth of these Pajeros and the Bishops who were supposed to have received them?  

2.     Now that the Pajero issue remains a black mark on suspected Bishops, who one after the other categorically denied that they had solicited or received any Pajero for personal use, what do you wish to gain by redirecting your attack – that some bishops, indeed, received SUVs? If so, why did you not mention that PCSO donated each of the vehicles to Bishops or dioceses for purposes of social action, promotion of health, poverty alleviation, human development – all for the sake of the poor? After all that is their explicit request for help and is contained in the Memorandum of Agreement that both PCSO and beneficiary sign.  

3.     Why do you say that the donations to the Bishops were anomalous and unconstitutional?  Does not the typical PCSO MOA with the beneficiary say that it is the mandate of the PCSO to provide assistance for health programs, health services, other services and charitable purposes?  And therefore that the grant is not only meant for medical and health services?  Do you think that Bishops and religious institutions use such grants for their own self-interests and not for the poor? Do you think that the cooperation of the Church in your work violates the principle of separation of Church and State?  Do you think that by such donation you are establishing one religion as the State religion considering that your grants are given to different religious denominations for the sake of the poor?  

4.     Why do you single out some bishops in your so called expose when by simply looking into your records from the time of President Cory Aquino up to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, you will find donations to hundreds of religious groups of different denominations through the years for purposes of helping the poor?  Would you have us believe that a thorough 2008 and 2009 audit on PCSO donations revealed only Bishops as beneficiaries and not other religious groups?  And why do you claim that some three or four years after the “Garci tapes these grants were given to buy Bishops’ support against moves to oust President Arroyo?  Do you think that all past Presidents, acting through PCSO, were unwise in having  different religious denominations help in alleviating poverty, providing medical and health services, and doing development work for the poor?  Did Presidents from the time of President Cory to the time of President Arroyo, acting through PCSO, violate the Constitution?  

5.     In brief, all the above questions beg the question of motives.  What are your real motives in selectively targeting some bishops to whom PCSO gave grants for the sake of the poor?   6.     Are you telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth?  Or are you giving disinformation to discredit the Bishops for motives of your own? (+Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I.  Archbishop of Cotabato    July 3, 2011)