MANILA, Jan. 19, 2012— An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called on President Benigno Aquino III to ‘consistently’ used his political power for the common good.
With the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona by Aquino’s allies in Congress, Fr. Edu Gariguez said that it only means that the government can do anything it wanted.
“The administration can therefore use its influence for anything that it wants,” Gariguez of the CBCP’s National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace told Manila archdiocese-run Radyo Veritas.
“Our challenge is for the government to be consistent in using its political power, not just against Corona but also in providing justice for Hacienda Luisita farmers,” he said.
Gariguez clarified they are not favoring anybody but simply calling on the government to work for social justice and public welfare.
The Hacienda Luisita is a 4,915 hectares sugar estate owned by the family and relatives of Aquino.
Another issue that Gariguez wants to be settled is for the government to return the billions of pesos in coconut levy funds that were allegedly stolen from coconut farmers.
He called on Aquino to side with farmers in the fight for the levy for decades and which critics said benefited businessman Eduardo Cojuangco, the President’s uncle.
“So again, we are appealing that the political power be also used for the Hacienda Luisita and coco levy and not use it for personal interests,” said Gariguez. [CBCPNews]
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