BISHOPS TO LEAD FORCES CALLING FOR ARROYO'S OUSTER

Senior members of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) over the weekend vowed to lead their parishioners as they joined hands with the opposition camp in renewing calls...

By Guil Franco (Our correspondent)

Published: Tue 9 May 2006, 12:34 PM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 4:47 PM

for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

They also called for effrots to put a stop to Malacanag Palace's campaign for Charter change (Cha-cha).

In announcing the launch of their 'people's opposition initiatives,' as opposed to the Palace-pushed 'people's initiative,' Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez and Infanta Bishop Emeriturs Julio Labayen said: 'We are encouraging all the Filipinos to unite and fight the people's initiative.'

They told a meeting of various groups under the umbrella organisation Pagkakaisa (Solidarity) — held at the St. Peter's Church in Commonwealth Avenue, suburban Quezon City -- that it is obvious that the real purpose of Cha-cha is to cover up the truth behind the legitimacy of the Arroyo administration.

During the meeting, the participants also read their Manifesto which said: 'We are are against the continued governance of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who, by clear and convincing evidence, is shown to be an illegitimate president, who covers up the truth, with no mandate to govern at all.' The Manifesto will be submitted to the Philippine Congress (composed of the House and the Senate) next week.

There is also an upcoming candlelight and prayer rally to be spearheaded by the lay leaders on May 13 at the Quezon Memorial Circle, Q.C.

The three senior CBCP members said the gathering 'is a call to unity' and 'makes the people proud of their own country.'