Bishop says Philippines needs new politicians, not new structures

Published: 2005-07-26

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- A Philippine bishop said that instead of calling for changes to the country's constitution, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should call for a change in the character of politicians. "We are changing the laws, but we are not changing the people making the laws," Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales of Manila told reporters after a Mass July 26, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. The archbishop compared Arroyo's proposed move to "improving the house" without "improving the character of the people" living in it. He spoke with reporters at Manila's cathedral the day after Arroyo opened the second session of the 13th Congress in neighboring Quezon City. In the president's speech before Congress, she did not address moves to impeach her over allegations of election fraud and illegal gambling payoffs to family members. Rather, she called for amending the constitution to alter the present political system, which she said hinders national progress.

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