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‘Pajero Bishops’ Being Charged for Graft and Corruption for Taking PCSO Money

PCSO board director, Atty. Aleta Tolentino, revealed that according to a 2009 Commission on Audit report, a total of P6 million was deducted from its charity funds and the recipients – Catholic Bishops.

In an interview by Yahoo Philippines, Atty. Tolentino said P1.44 million was given to the Archdiocese of Cotabato, P1.5 million went to the Zamboanga Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate, P720,000 was given to Caritas Nueva Segovia, P1.125 million to the Roman Catholic Prelate of Isabela, Basilan and P1.7 million to the Diocese of Butuan. The Bishops who received the money reportedly purchased “Pajero vans” and/or other service vehicles, thus the term “Pajero Bishops.”

“Based on the COA report, may violation ng Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). Siguro kung may kasalanan ang bishops, dapat parusahan sila. We should be God-fearing, not bishop-fearing,” she said.

Tolentino added the previous PCSO board should also be held liable.

Former Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz, on the other hand, commented on the allegations that several bishops had received expensive vehicles from the government, and called the behavior “shameful.”

He said that it would not be appropriate for the bishops to possess luxury vehicles while the people in their respective parishes and dioceses are suffering from poverty.

He added the Catholic Church will be conducting its own investigation regarding the issue, and would report its findings to the Vatican “for proper action.”

Tolentino, the Bishops involved, PCSO chairperson Margie Juico, and other PCSO board members have been summoned by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to shed light on the controversy.

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