'Happy birthday' greets bishops at Senate

MANILA, Philippines - Supporters and opponents of the reproductive health (RH) bill exchanged cheers and jeers and even sang “Happy Birthday” yesterday during the resumption of the Senate public hearing on the alleged misuse of funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Clad in bishop’s habit, pro-RH bill advocates picketed the Senate before the start of the public hearing, but aside form the noisy crowd no untoward incident was reported.

The protesters sang “Happy Birthday” in reference to Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, who had admitted asking for a 4x4 vehicle from then President Arroyo as a birthday gift.

They also carried replicas of sport utility vehicles to dramatize their protests.

The Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWD) called on the senators not to give special treatment to the bishops during the hearing.

Red Tani, spokesperson of Bantay Bishop, said they launched the group in support of the Senate probe.

“We’re here to remind everyone that even the bishops could be criminals too,” Tani said.

Tani explained that their costumes represented the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church hierarchy that claim to be pro-poor when they rob the poor of resources by accepting PCSO funds.

The convoy of vehicles with the Catholic bishops arrived at the Senate past 9 a.m. from Pope Pius Center in Manila.

Carlos Celdran, who is a staunch critic of the Catholic Church’s opposition to the bill that would promote family planning and artificial contraception, also joined the pro-RH groups.

Opponents of the RH bill supported the embattled bishops and joined the priests, nuns and members of Couples for Christ and the Knights of Columbus in giving support to the seven bishops who testified at the Senate inquiry about the donations they received and used to buy vehicles for their respective dioceses.

The supporters of the bishops included former ambassador Tita de Villa, former senator Francisco Tatad, former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, and employees of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

At the sidelights of the hearing, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago suffered from high blood pressure after she defended the Catholic bishops involved in the controversy.

Santiago’s blood pressure shot up to 160/100 after her speech during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

In her speech, Santiago said the sport utility vehicles bought by the bishops from the money given by PCSO were used for community and health programs.

She expressed dismay over the criticism received by the bishops, saying they did not violate any law.

Santiago also got angry after learning that no Mitsubishi Pajero, as earlier reported, was given to the seven Catholic bishops.