A bishop in the southern Archdiocese of Cotabato today admitted accepting “donations” from the Charity Sweepstakes Office under the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal0-Arroyo.“Yes, I received an ambulance in December 2009. I asked [the] president … for it,” said Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo.The bishop said he saw nothing wrong in accepting donations from the government if they were used to benefit the community, adding that he had also accepted money – about 50 million to 100 million pesos (US$1.2-2.4 million) – from the administration of another president, Corazon Aquino, which was used to build schools.He clarified that he specifically asked Arroyo for an ambulance to service a home for the aged, not a sport utility vehicle for personal use.The Commission on Audit said recently the previous administration gave “gifts” to congressmen and religious leaders in the form of ambulances and SUVs, apparently to win their support.
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1. Prelate admits he accepted donations
www.ucanews.com
2. Gift of ambulance from government becomes 'offensive' source
of embarrassment.
3. A bishop in the southern Archdiocese of Cotabato today
admitted accepting donations from theCharity Sweepstakes
Officeunder the administration of former president Gloria
Macapagal0-Arroyo.
4. Yes, I received an ambulance in December 2009. I asked [the]
president for it, said Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin
Bagaforo.
5. The bishop said he saw nothing wrong in accepting donations
from the government if they were used to benefit the community,
adding that he had also accepted money about 50 million to 100
million pesos (US$1.2-2.4 million) from the administration of
another president, Corazon Aquino, which was used to build
schools.
6. He clarified that he specifically asked Arroyo for an
ambulance to service a home for the aged, not a sport utility
vehicle for personal use.
7. The Commission on Audit said recently the previous
administration gave gifts to congressmen and religious leaders in
the form of ambulances and SUVs, apparently to win their
support.
8. The ambulance is the property of CotabatoBahay Maria, Inc.,
a home for the aged and incapacitated. It is used not only by Bahay
Maria but also by patients from outside. Its open to the public;
they just have to pay for gas and the drivers salary. Maintenance
cost is very minimal, Bishop Bagaforo said.
9. He added that NGOs were the ones soliciting funds to support
Church-related programs.
10. They ask for our endorsement, our help; and there are
instances when the offer comes from the government
itself.
11. The Senate will begin an investigation into alleged bribery
of bishops by the previous government tomorrow.
12. Representative EdcelLagman said today the solicitation or
acceptance by Catholic bishops of motor vehicles or cash gifts from
the government is not a crimeper se, but is morally
offensive.
13. He said there is no law penalizing those who violate the
doctrine of separation of Church and State and the constitutional
provisions barring the establishment of a state religion or
appropriating public money or property for use by religious groups
or individuals.
14. Representative Lagman further denied that he was one of 29
legislators accused of receiving vehicles from the PCSO under the
Arroyo administration.
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