US embassy cable - 05MANILA4322

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 004322 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/PMBS, EAP/IET, INR/EAP, INR/B 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, PINR, RP 
SUBJECT: CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE URGES FILIPINOS TO 
MOVE BEYOND POLITICAL DIVISIONS 
 
REF: A. MANILA 4271 
 
     B. MANILA 4199 
     C. MANILA 3946 
     D. VATICAN 500 
     E. MANILA 3167 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Timothy L. Cipullo 
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C)  On September 13 the Permanent Council of the Catholic 
Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a sequel 
to its pastoral statement of July 2005, calling on Filipinos 
to move beyond the current political turmoil and to "address 
the more important and urgent problem of grinding poverty of 
our people."  The statement does not depart significantly 
from the group's Pastoral Statement of July 10, in which it 
called on President Arroyo to do what is best for the 
country, but stopped short of calling for her resignation. 
It appears the CBCP will maintain its neutral position 
regarding the current political turmoil, at least during the 
tenure of its current president, Davao Archbishop Fernando 
Capalla, who will step down in December. 
 
2. (U) The Council reminded members of the Church that lay 
organizations and movements ("as baptized Catholics") have a 
responsibility in the political arena, but cautioned against 
"inordinate involvement in activities that further oppress 
the poor and divide the people."  The statement also 
cautioned that the search for truth must be "guided by the 
principles of the rule of law provided for in the 
Constitution." 
 
3.  (U) Malacanang praised the statement as "wise" and 
"enlightening."  Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo stated at a 
September 13 press conference, "Let us all heed the preaching 
of the bishops for peach, truth, sobriety, rule of law and 
the upliftement of our poor kababayan (countrymen)."  On 
September 12, the day before the CBCP Permanent Council met, 
President Arroyo joined several prominent Church leaders at 
the "National Day of Intense Prayer for Peace," before flying 
to New York later in the day.  At this meeting, Cebu 
Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal hinted at the statement to 
come when he called on members of the Opposition to accept 
the results of the impeachment process, saying that their 
efforts to stir up street protests against the dismissal of 
the impeachment complaint were increasing public cynicism. 
 
4.  (C) Comment:  The September 13 statement by the Permanent 
Council maintains the CBCP's position of not taking sides in 
the dispute between the Arroyo Administration and the 
Opposition.  This is in line with the posture of staying out 
of politics advocated by the head of the Church in the 
Philippines, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales (ref a) and 
encouraged by the Vatican (ref d).  Individual members of the 
CBCP have expressed widely divergent views regarding the 
present political turmoil.  However, under the leadership of 
current president Archbishop Fernando Capalla, the CBCP 
appears unlikely to change its official position.  Capalla's 
two-year term as CBCP president ends in December.  Archbishop 
Angel Lagdameo, from Jaro in Iloilo province will succeed 
him.  Many observers believe Lagdameo is more inclined toward 
political activism than Capalla.  However, Lagdameo has thus 
far publicly maintained that the CBCP will retain its 
position vis a vis the political turmoil after he assumes the 
presidency.  End Comment 
 
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/ 
 
JOHNSON