CBCP respects SC ruling on Corona's dollar deposits

CEBU, Philippines - Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said that they respect the decision of the Supreme Court in the ongoing impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Palma said any call from the members of the church for Corona to allow the opening of his dollar accounts does not reflect the position of the CBCP.

 “Kay ang official, syempre ang giboto na president, vice president and the members sa permanent council. Anybody na magsulti, dili official (because the official, of course the one voted as president, vice president and the members of the permanent council. Anybody who speaks, that is not official, does not reflect the mind of the CBCP),” Palma said.

Palma celebrated a mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral for the World Day of the Sick and took the opportunity during an interview to react on the recent news quoting a member of the CBCP national secretariat for social action.

Fr. Edu Gariguez of the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action was quoted in the newspaper report from Manila having recommended that Corona should allow scrutiny of his dollar accounts to prove that he has nothing to hide.

 "Let us also respect the institution and the process," Palma said.

It was revealed Wednesday that Corona has five-dollar accounts with the PS Bank but its president refused to submit details to the Senate sitting as an impeachment court for fear of criminal liability.

The PS Bank officials petitioned before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the impeachment court from compelling them to present the records of Corona's foreign currency deposits. The petition was granted by the Supreme Court in a vote of 8-5. (FREEMAN)