CBCP head: Impeachment over, it’s time to move on

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

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MANILA, May 30, 2012 CBCP NEWS―Now that the impeachment trial is over, it’s time for everyone to move on and put the interest of the country forward, the head of the country’s Catholic bishops said.

Even as the trial has brought division among Filipinos, now is the time for opposing camps to reach out to one another in a spirit of friendship and put the good of the country ahead of personal interest, according to Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

“I would like to underline that we can think of the things that can unite us, think of the things that can make us one and help each other, put our talents and gifts at the service of the people and believe that there is something good for the Filipino people in the near future,” Palma said in an interview Wednesday over Church-run Radyo Veritas.

We should join hands to pursue many things that could bring about development and improvement for our people, he added.

“I know that people are divided [over the verdict], some maybe happy but there are also others who are not satisfied,” Palma said.

But he also stressed that it is important to respect the judgment of the Impeachment court and accept its decision in good faith.

Twenty members of the Senate sitting as the Impeachment Court yesterday convicted Chief Justice Renato Corona for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

Senators who found Corona guilty for failing to declare his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth were Senators Edgardo Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Jose Estrada, TG Guingona, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Sergio Osmena III, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel III, Ralph Recto, Ramon Revilla, Jr., Vicente Sotto, Antonio Trillanes IV, Manuel Villar, and presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile.

Three of the judges, Senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos, Jr voted for Corona’s acquittal.

Palma said the impeachment trial should serve as a lesson for everyone, especially public officials to be transparent and accountable to the people whom they are called to serve.

He said it is the lack of transparency and accountability among public servants that is the root of corruption and the cause of poverty in the country.

All of us in whatever manner, whatever responsibility we may find ourselves holding, said Palma, we should put forward the good of the people more than our own.

Now that the impeachment is over, it is for the good of everyone that we try to become friends again, think of the good of the people and tell them, we are here for you and for your good, he reiterated. (CBCPNews)