Bishops want the truth? (They can't handle the truth!)

[LytSlpr]

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Pooled editorial: Bishops want the truth?

*Not with flawed “processes and procedures� in searching for it


The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has asked President Arroyo “to pursue relentlessly the truth� behind the Garci tapes and to stop moves to call off next year’s elections.

Sun.Star publications, including this paper, have vigorously pushed for both actions. But for now let’s look at the futile hunt for the truth.

Congress hearings on the Garci tapes have ended with basic questions unanswered about the phone talk between President Arroyo and then Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and the election cheating they allegedly plotted.

The hearings battered the image of the President and the Comelec and shattered people’s faith in the presidency, the elections, individual privacy, and even national security.

But the truth?

No chance, if by truth the bishops mean the certainty, “beyond reasonable doubt,� of the charges of lies and dishonesty and the punishment of the culprits.

They failed

Even the move to oust the President by means fair and foul failed.

One can’t say the impeachment was absolutely fair but the President did, at least on the surface, what she could rightfully do: she defended herself.

A political device, impeachment obviously does not work against a Palace occupant who knows how to use power to protect tenure.

As to efforts to evict the President by people power, the opposition must know by now that it would take more than waves of scandal to build up a people’s outrage that would repeat an Edsa.

A political theory is that the opposition needs to show an alternative to the Arroyo rule: leaders not discredited or recycled from the Marcos and Estrada eras. A condition that does not help any the search for truth.

The bishops won’t get the truth. Not if the truth is pursued, as they insist, “through structures and processes mandated by law and the Constitution.�

The procedures are flawed and don’t work against a president who digs in and fights. On the other hand, using revolt or military coup could bring the country worse harm.

In a bind

The bishops are in a bind. They cannot publicly castigate President Arroyo without fueling the violence they seek to avoid.

Perhaps they can tell her, privately if it helps, that the country is hurting and she has a lot to do with it — and she can do a lot to stop it. (Sun.Star Cebu)


IN A NUTSHELL:Â* Â*UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG BUT WHAT EACH SIDES CAN PROVE OR PROVE OTHERWISE AND THE GRAVITY OF THE CORRESPONDING CONSEQUENCE TO OUR NATION AND IF THERE IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE.Â* FOR THE MEANTIME, WHETHER ALL OR SOME OF US LIKES IT OR NOT, WE HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION.

[randy111979]

hehehehe. well said.

One can’t say the impeachment was absolutely fair but the President did, at least on the surface, what she could rightfully do: she defended herself.

[nindotkanon]

they cannot even face the truth about over population!

[FK]

Perhaps they can tell her, privately if it helps, that the country is hurting and she has a lot to do with it — and she can do a lot to stop it.

i agree... dili ra ipasangil sa opposition, kay sa pagka karon siya ang main issue... as i have said before if he can just prove that the tape was manufactured/spliced, wala na onta.

[Deus]

Separation of church and state. What the hell were they doing influencing politics anyway?

[dacs]

Separation of church and state. What the hell were they doing influencing politics anyway?

I wonder why you have no qualms regarding this suggestion : 'Perhaps they can tell her, privately if it helps, that the country is hurting and she has a lot to do with it — and she can do a lot to stop it.' Separation of Church and State?

[dacs]

they cannot even face the truth about over population!

Yeah, right --- as though you can face the myths about it.

[mosimos]

[
IN A NUTSHELL:Â* Â*UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG BUT WHAT EACH SIDES CAN PROVE OR PROVE OTHERWISE AND THE GRAVITY OF THE CORRESPONDING CONSEQUENCE TO OUR NATION AND IF THERE IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE.Â* FOR THE MEANTIME, WHETHER ALL OR SOME OF US LIKES IT OR NOT, WE HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION.

This alone is a flawed premise. Nothing more to say. I mean to find what is right and wrong, what could be more important than that?

If people will think this way, then it means trouble for us all. Kung ing ani nga pati Obispo kontrahun na para lang matabunan ang mga binuang, grabe na gyud kaayo.

[randy111979]

[
IN A NUTSHELL: UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG BUT WHAT EACH SIDES CAN PROVE OR PROVE OTHERWISE AND THE GRAVITY OF THE CORRESPONDING CONSEQUENCE TO OUR NATION AND IF THERE IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE. FOR THE MEANTIME, WHETHER ALL OR SOME OF US LIKES IT OR NOT, WE HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION.

This alone is a flawed premise. Nothing more to say. I mean to find what is right and wrong, what could be more important than that?

If people will think this way, then it means trouble for us all. Kung ing ani nga pati Obispo kontrahun na para lang matabunan ang mga binuang, grabe na gyud kaayo.

I think this statement is trying to pertain to being objective than subjective. Its really difficult to define truth especially it is very relative. What maybe the truth for you is not the truth for me.

Atleast, having the law as a common reference tends to be fair to all people. Now, having the law as the common reference then proving or disproving in accordance of law takes action. This is purely my opinion.

[mosimos]

Truth is not relative. Its absolute. Truth is truth as black is black or white is white. There are no gray areas only balack and white. If both insists that that theirs is truth then one of them is definitely telling a lie.