Philippine bishops say they want genuine solutions to corruption

Published: 2008-02-25

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (CNS) -- Several Philippine bishops said they want genuine solutions to corruption whether or not they support calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "We really do not want any more of this corruption," Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon told the Asian church news agency UCA News Feb. 22. In the bishop's view, however, removing Arroyo is "not the solution." "The whole system has to be overhauled, because she is just one of the whole web of corruption," he said. The situation will not improve "without change of mind, change of heart of everybody. We have heard about corruption involving millions of pesos from a long time ago," Bishop Bastes said, noting that removing Arroyo would be like "jumping from one fire to another." He said this would result in "instability, destroy the rule of law and make a mockery of our country."

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