House, Senate eye separate probes on Pajero bishops By Gerry Baldo and Angie M. Rosales 07/04/2011

House, Senate eye separate probes on Pajero bishops

By Gerry Baldo and Angie M. Rosales 07/04/2011

The controversy swirling about the donations made by the Arroyo government to leaders of the Catholic Church has reached both chambers of Congress which separately plans to hold an inquiry into the anomaly.
At the House of Representatives, Minority Leader Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman pushed an independent investigation into the issue.

Lagman said that a probe is in order to get into the bottom of the allegations supposedly involving seven bishops who received Pajero luxury vehicles from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to spare innocent members of the clergy.

“The revelation that some Catholic bishops received motor vehicles and cash gifts from the PCSO has shattered the moral ascendancy of the clergy. The varying defensive responses of the bishops from contrived denials to deodorized admissions have aggravated their fragile position,” Lagman said.

The Senate is also moving for an investigation into the controversy. Sen. Panfilo Lacson who moved for the conduct of an inquiry in the Senate by the blue ribbon committee starting Wednesday said documents he had culled and which appear to be also in possession of the panel chairman, Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, indicated that of the numerous charges of alleged irregularities hurled at her during her incumbency as president, former President Arroyo might be pinned down this time on supposed PCSO funds misuse as documents showed her approval on its purported releases. .... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110704hed2.html