about its alleged involvement in election fraud and asked Christians to reject corruption as anti-government protests spread throughout the country.
"Filipinos do not believe in the government," said Philippines’ Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu. "It is hard because people in the country no longer believe in the government. They are indifferent," Cardinal Vidal stressed Tuesday, November 1, in remarks obtained by the BosNewsLife Manila Bureau.
He said the government of Asia’s only predominantly Christian nation should urgently "let the public know the truth [about the elections]," as protest rallies continue "unabated in the country" in a sign "that the Filipinos are still searching for the truth of the allegation."
Cardinal Vidal said "dissatisfaction over the lack of transparency from the government" is fueling the protest rallies and stressed that "these are likely to continue unless the people are satisfied that the truth as been unveiled."
PHONE CALL
The troubles began earlier this year when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was accused of having influenced the results of the 2004 presidential elections during a phone call with one of
the election commissioners.
Arroyo’s popularity has remained low despite winning an impeachment challenge over allegations she cheated in last year’s elections, amid church questions over the political process. She has always denied any wrongdoing.
Arroyo came to power in January 2001 when President Joseph Estrada was ousted in a popular revolt backed by generals and bishops, but Cardinal Vidal said times have changed.
POLICE VIOLENCE
He warned demonstrations against Arroyo and her government continue amid fears over cases
of alleged brutality by government security forces after one of several prayer rallies in Manila was dispersed by police with water cannons.
Three Catholic Bishops, several priests, nuns and seminarians were reportedly among those forced to flee the rally near the presidential palace on October 14 in the incident, which added to calls for Arroyo’s resignation.
There is concern within churches that doubts over the government’s behavior will lead to a further decline of Christian values in the Philippines, where families are searching for ethical leadership, BosNewsLife learned.
"VALUES" DOCUMENT
It has prompted the Episcopal Commission on the Laity of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to urge its members not to abandon "self-discipline" and "values" such as fighting corruption, according to a document obtained by the BosNewsLife Manila Bureau.
In the statement ‘A call for every Filipino –12 little things every Filipino can do to help the country’ the bishops exhorted Catholics to follow traffic rules and follow the law of the land by refusing to give bribes. "Whenever one buys or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt." It also asked Filipinos "not to buy smuggled goods but to buy Filipino-made goods. The Filipinos need to respect traffic officers, police and soldiers in the country."
In the document, seen as an indirect reference to areas where churches believe the government is failing them, Filipinos were urged "not to litter and…to conserve energy and support the church. During elections, they need to vote and pray for employees to pay their taxes properly."
"LOVE THE COUNTRY"
It also stressed that "Filipinos need to adopt a scholar and a poor child for education and development. They also need to be good parents and teach their children to follow the law and love the country."
Despite doubts over the government role in recent elections, the influential Episcopal Commission urged Christians "to speak good of the country," amid apparent fears of further unrest in the country.
About 92 percent of the Philippines, over 86 million people claim to be Christians, while Muslims and Buddhists make up the remaining eight percent, according to estimates.
You know, if they didn’t end up hating each other and Shaq hadn’t left Orlando and all.