Act on complaint vs Legazpi bishop, Papal Nuncio asked

MANILA, Philippines — Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown has been asked to act on a complaint filed against an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for allegedly meddling in politics in Legazpi City.

In a four-page letter, Joseph Armogilla said Albay bishop and CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care chairman Joel Baylon is supporting disqualified Albay governor Noel Rosal and his wife Legazpi Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal.

The letter dated Oct. 16 was also sent to the CBCP.

Armogilla is among those who filed a disqualification case against the Rosal couple before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for violation of the 45-day public spending ban.

The Comelec’s first and second divisions disqualified the couple.The two remain in their respective posts pending an en banc ruling on their cases.

Armogilla said Baylon has been organizing prayer rallies and behind text blasts in support for the Rosals.

He said Baylon also spoke about “alleged injustice against the elected governor” during a mass.

“The action of the bishop is divisive among the Catholic faithful as he shows partiality toward a certain group or individual. His actions directly contradict his basic function as a bishop of the (Catholic) church,” Armogilla said.

He said the Comelec being a constitutional body is tasked to determine the qualification of candidates and resolve election cases, and should not be influenced by anybody from the Catholic church.

“It is not the church’s task to set forth specific political solutions, and even propose a single solution as the acceptable one to temporal questions that God has left to the free and responsible judgment of each person, especially if it involves interpretation of the law,” the letter stated.