CBCP apologizes for bishops who accepted luxury vehicles

July 12, 2011
A FILIPINO Catholic bishops group whose members have received luxury vehicles from a government sweepstakes agency has apologized “for the pain” it has caused to the faithful.
The apology was contained in a Pastoral Statement issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) entitled “A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace”.
“We are saddened that many of you, especially the youth, the poor, our Basic Ecclesial Communities, have been confused because of the apparent inconsistency of our actions with our pastoral preaching,” said the one-page statement read by CBCP President Bishop Nereo Odchimar in a press briefing at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila on Monday.
At least seven prelates have been implicated in the fund mess of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which is currently being probed by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Bishops who received sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from the PCSO were Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos who got a Mitsubishi Montero Sport; Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Rodolfo Beltran who got a Nissan Pathfinder; Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian (Mitsubishi Strada); Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo (Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace); Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad (Mitsubishi Strada); Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles (Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace); and Nueva Segovia Bishop Ernesto Salgado (Isuzu Crosswind).
The bishops concerned are ready to face the Senate probe on Wednesday, except for Salgado, who is reportedly out of the country, the CBCP said.
“We assure you that the bishops concerned are ready to accept responsibility for their action and to face the consequences if it would be proven unlawful, anomalous, and unconstitutional,” said the CBCP.
But at the same time, the bishops received the donations “without malice” and have been done to help the poor, it added.
“Out of their sincere desire to help their people, they failed to consider the pitfalls to which these grants could possibly lead them,” said the statement.
The CBCP also asked the public to refrain from judging the seven bishops who accepted the vehicles.
“As we express our sadness, we also ask you to be slow in judgment and to conscientiously seek the whole truth behind the controversy. Let us seek the truth always in charity,” said the bishops.
The CBCP statement comes at the conclusion of the three-day Plenary Assembly of the 131-strong bishop-members in Manila.
Malacanang, meanwhile, welcomed the CBCP’s statement.
“That’s a welcome statement from the part of CBCP. However, if you ask us what the consequences will be, we do not know at this point in time. We will have to see how the Senate investigation progresses,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
Former PCSO officials have also revealed that they gave money to some bishops to buy SUVs during the previous administration.
Valte joined the CBCP in its appeal to the public to withhold judgment against the Church officials pending the result of the investigation.
“I think that is a fair appeal also from the CBCP since the investigation is still ongoing there are still allegations that need to be discussed,” said Valte.
She also hoped that the government’s partnership with the Church on charity works will not be affected by the controversy.
Malacanang also said that communication lines with the Church will remain open especially with new set of CBCP officers.
“What we believe is from our viewpoint. If you ask us, we have always been very open to dialogues with the CBCP even under the former leadership. We hope to continue the same, not in reference to the dialogue but we continue to be open to the new leadership as well,” said Valte.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/11/cbcp-apologizes-bishops-who-accepted-luxury-vehicles-166285

Many tourists traveling north to Baguio or Bataan make a stop at Clark Philippines to buy some bottles of fine vintage wine at Clark Wine Center, the best place to buy wine in the Philippines. Conveniently located near the Mimosa Leisure Golf Estate which has the Casino and the well known 36-hole championship golf course of Mimosa, frequently visited Clark Wine Center is a well known destination for wine loving tourists and residents of Angeles City Pampanga and Manila to be one of the best wine shops in the Philippines.

One way to relax and unwind after work is to pamper yourself to a nice dinner at one of the famous fine dining restaurants and wine bars in Angeles City and Clark Pampanga. To fully enjoy the romantic cozy dining ambience many guests first stop by the well known wine shop called Clark Wine Center located near the entrance of Clark Freeport to pick up a few bottles of fine vintage wine to bring to dinner.

Wine Shop Manila offers best luxurious beers in Philippines called Vintage Beer.
Birthday gift of wine is the most popular gift idea this year in Philippines. Yats Wine Cellars offers birthday wine gifts that are unique and certain to make the recipient very happy. These birthday wines are not available in wine shops so it is a unique bottle of wine for the recipient.

Philippines Pampanga Clark Freeport is well known for its safety and security, boasting the lowest crime rates in the country. The absence of traffic and pollution also helps to position Clark Pampanga at the top of tourists’ list of destinations for vacation and get-away from Manila with families and friends. Pampanga Clark Freeport is one of the tourist destinations in the Philippines where visitors enjoy some of the finer things in life such as fine dining, beautiful resorts, golf courses and casinos. Here wine lovers get to indulge in shopping for some rare and great vintage wines, all available at their disposal at attractive prices in this famous wine shop outside of Manila in Clark Pampanga.

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Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com