Centrist Democracy Political Institute - Items filtered by date: October 2025

Thursday, 12 October 2017 16:37

Palace hands off on Bautista impeachment

Malacañang prefers to keep its hands off on the impeachment of outgoing Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista.

This came after the House of Representatives voted to impeach the poll body chief Wednesday afternoon, following his resignation that morning.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, the Congress should be the one to decide on the fate of Bautista.

“Congress should decide what to do with this impeachment in view of his resignation,” Abella said during the Palace press briefing Thursday.

“After his successor is named, we look forward to a smooth transition and preparations for Barangay and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) Elections next year, the midterm polls, and if possible, BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) and Charter Change plebiscites in 2019,” he added.

The Palace, however, said it acknowledge the services of Bautista as Comelec chair.

Comelec chairman Andres Bautista, for his part, said it will be up to Malacañang to decide whether to keep or replace him as the head of the poll body before the effectivity of his resignation in December.

In a radio interview, Bautista disclosed he was ready to vacate his post at an earlier date if Malacañang will be able to immediately find his replacement.

However, he noted, he was also prepared to stay if President Duterte decides to set aside his resignation.

“The Dec. 31 date is not cast in stone…it aims to give the President enough time to make the transition (for my resignation) smooth and orderly,” Bautista said during an interview.

“At this point, I would just wait for the decision of the President,” Bautista said. (With reports from Samuel Medenilla)

Published in News

Thursday, 12 October 2017 13:24

Duterte not yet abandoning peace talks with Reds — Bello

President Rodrigo Duterte has not abandoned his promise to bring lasting peace to the country as government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III said the peace talks have not been officially terminated.

Despite Duterte’s repeated remarks that he would no longer pursue talks with the communist rebels, Bello said no formal letter of termination had been sent to the other party.

“[I]n order to terminate the talks, the either of the parties have to serve the [other] party with a written notice of termination and the termination takes effect 30 days after receipt of that notice of termination,” Bello said in a Palace briefing.

Duterte has repeatedly said he would no longer push through with the peace talks with the communist rebels, saying it’s “a waste of people’s money.”

The fifth round of peace talks with the rebels was suspended on May 27 when the government panel withdrew from the negotiating table after the CPP ordered NPA guerrillas to intensify attacks against security forces. Another round of peace talks was supposed to be held but didn’t push through.

In July, Duterte ended the peace talks with the communists following a series of attacks carried out by the NPA against government forces.

But Bello said the President was only referring to the next round of talks and not the entire peace talks.

“Well, when the President mentioned about not talking to them, probably our President was referring to the two cancelled talks that we were supposed to hold,” he said. “He ordered that cancelled for a very good reason.”

“But that did not mean that the talks were cancelled or terminated and we have been consistently saying that,” he added.

Despite Duterte’s claims of abandoning the peace talks, his chief negotiator said otherwise.

“If you recall, when the president came in as our President, he made a very clear statement that his legacy to our country and our countrymen is a lasting peace for our country. So, I don’t think that the President has abandoned that legacy,” Bello said.

In a speech on October 5 before soldiers in Taguig, Duterte said he would leave it up to the next president to pursue the peace talks with the communists.

But Bello downplayed the President’s remarks.

“I don’t know but the talks are alive and we are just waiting for the President to give us the instruction to go back to the peace table,” he said. /je

Published in News

Thursday, 12 October 2017 13:18

CBCP to formally launch ‘Stop the Killings’ nationwide campaign

The Catholic church will launch on November 5 the “Lord Heal our Land Sunday” as part of its 40-day “Stop the Killings” campaign to pray and mourn the deaths of the victims of the recent killings, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Socrates Villegas said on Thursday.

The CBCP started its campaign since September 23 until November 1 this year, through daily rosary, church bell tolling and candle lighting every 8 p.m.

Villegas said to kick off the campaign, there will be a mass at the Edsa Shrine on November 5, at 3 p.m.

“After the mass, the image of Our Lady of Fatima that was brought by devotees to Edsa in the 1986 People Power revolt will be brought in a candlelight procession to the People Power monument a kilometer away from the Edsa Shrine,” Villegas said in a statement.

“We believe that our national healing, which only the Lord can grant, will come to us through the hands of His mother,” he added.

The Dagupan Archbishop urged Filipinos to join the event and for priests nationwide to hold masses in provinces for those who cannot go to Edsa.

“We are inviting the men and women in consecrated life, the youth and their teachers, the poor and the rich, the healthy and the persons with disability, the laborers and the entrepreneurs, the police and the military, the majority and minority political parties, in other words EVERYBODY, to join this observance of the ‘Lord Heal our Land Sunday,’” Villegas said.

“In asking the Lord to heal our land, we will pray to Him together because we are God’s children wherever we may be,” he added. /jpv

Published in News

Thursday, 12 October 2017 12:58

Sara Duterte sears ‘opportunistic’ Pangilinan, Hontiveros, Trillanes

Davao City Mayor and Presidential daughter Sara Duterte exposed on Thursday the alleged presidential ambitions of three senators who are part of the group “Tindig Pilipinas,” which she mocked as “Hunger Games Pilipinas.”

“Lahat ito hindi chismis kasi personal knowledge ko at may corroborative witnesses ako. Matanong ko lang, nu’ng mga panahon na humingi kayo ng tulong, may isyu ba kayo sa governance ni PRD (President Rodrigo Duterte)? Wala,” Sara said in a Facebook post.

(These are not rumors because I have personal knowledge and corroborative witnesses. If I may just ask, during your time of need, did you have any issue with the PRD’s governance? None.)

“Ngayon na nanalo na siya? Meron. Hunger Games, Pilipinas: Plastic na, oportunista pa. Kayo 3 may ambisyon mag-Presidente, I grew up in politics, mas matagal pa ako sa pulitika kesa sa inyo 3 combined. I smell ambition a million miles away. Akala ninyo ‘yung circus ninyo ngayon magpapanalo sa inyo sa 2022? Hindi,” she added.

(Now that he has won, you have. Hunger Games, Pilipinas: A group of plastic, opportunistic people. You three have presidential ambitions. I grew up in politics, and was in politics longer than the three of you combined. I smell ambition a million miles away. You think your circus will make you win in 2022? No.)

The presidential daughter was referring to Senators Francis “Kiko” Panglinan, Risa Hontiveros, and Antonio Trillanes IV.

Sara claimed that Pangilinan met her years ago to get her father’s endorsement.

“Kiko Pangilinan- Several years ago nagkita tayo dito sa Davao, sa isang golf club, pinuntuhan mo si PRD. Gusto mo tumakbo Presidente, ansabe mo? ‘With Sharon’s [endorsement] and your (PRD) [endorsement] I’m sure I can make it.’ Dati pa-[endorse] ka sa kanya ngayon may pa Hunger Games salute effect ka,” Sara said.

(Kiko Pangilinan—several years ago, we met at a golf club here in Davao when you met with PRD. You wanted to run for President, right? You said that with Sharon’s endorsement, and with PRD’s endorsement, you were sure you would make it. Before, you sought his endorsement, now you have younger Hunger Games salute.)

She also said Hontiveros sought her help during her campaign.

“Risa Hontiveros – Sa picture ikaw ang pinaka makapal ang foundation acheng. Habang tinutulungan ko si PRD at ang nanay ko mangampanya, nasa byaheng du30 ako, ilang beses mo ako inabala, kinulit at tinawagan para humingi ka ng tulong sa boto mo sa Davao City? I can remember your bored face listening to me in our law office just so you can get support for Davao,” Sara said.

(Risa Hontiveros- In pictures, you have the thickest foundation. While I and my mother were helping PRD campaign, how many times did you approach me, bother me and call me so I would help you get votes in Davao City? I can remember your bored face listening to me in our law office just so you can get support for Davao.)

The Davao mayor said that aside from the two, Trillanes requested for President Rodrigo Duterte’s help in his campaign as vice president.

“Trillanes – Years ago, nagrequest ka makipag kita sa akin dito sa Davao,nasa Damosa ka, ano sabi ko sa emissary mo? No. You know why? I never liked your circus sa Manila Peninsula. Pero meron ako picture na nakipagkita ka kay PRD kasi humingi ka ng tulong niya sa VP campaign mo,” she said.

Sara, meanwhile, said she would reserve her remarks on Vice President Leni Robredo since she said the latter claimed she was not part of the “Hunger Games Pilipinas” anyway.

(Trillanes—years ago, you requested to meet me in Davao while you were in Damoso. What did I tell your emissary? No. You know why? I never liked your circus sa Manila Peninsula. But I have a picture of your meeting with PRD because you sought his help for your VP run.)

Sara also slammed as “Paninindigang Trapo” the criticisms the three senators hurled against Duterte.

“Mamuyboy ko? Yes. You don’t use PRD whenever convenient para sa pulitika ninyo (for your political ambitions). Kung wala ang boto ng Mindanao, mananalo kaya kayo (If you did not have Mindanao’s vote, would you win)?” the mayor added. /idl

Published in News

Thursday, 12 October 2017 09:53

One hell of a chief of staff

Part 3 – The Gatekeepers

Ronald Reagan and James Baker 3rd

VIEWED as one of the great post-war American Presidents, Ronald Reagan realigned US policies toward conservatism. His presidency saw the decline of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. It also saw the stint of the longest serving White House Chief of Staff (COS), James Baker 3rd. Theirs is the exemplar of a working relationship between a president and the primary alter ego. This is the last archetypical US president/chief of staff team (including those in the Part 1 and 2 of this series) that I will draw lessons from that could be applied in local presidential governance. (Most of these are extracted from Whipple’s book, and quotations are therefore attributed to the him.)

One important element in selecting the COS is his knowledge of how the center of power, Washington D.C., works. Baker was an ‘insider’ who had had extensive experience in the White House and Capitol Hill (US Senate and Congress), having been a bureaucrat, served in sub-cabinet and cabinet posts in various Republican administrations, and worked as a topnotch lawyer in the capital. Shunned by Reagan’s campaign staff from California, mostly “outsiders” from the Washington scene, Baker co-opted them by forming a ‘troika’ (with Edward Meese and Mike Deaver) serving the Oval Office, with him as the ‘first among equals’. The other members of the troika supervised the formulation of domestic policies, National Security Council and cabinet meetings while Baker had the handle on paperwork, speechwriting and WH staff. More importantly, he controlled information to and from the president and the execution of policies.

The Philippine context

As the COS position is non-existent in Malacañang,the Executive Secretary (ES) could be the primary gatekeeper. But there are similarities with US practices that are applicable to the local scene. For one, the COS/ES needs to be the dispenser of the president’s time, the most valuable asset in presidential governance. This works only if PRRD empowers his alter ego to assume that function. With the Deegong’s strong and rough personalityand degree of volatility, the COS/ES could find himself in constant stress-filled situations that could test their fragile bond of trust.

The problems confronting the Deegong could have been averted if his alter egos were the “face of the issues” responding to the public as first line of defense. The needless exposure of DU30 to political heat, even of his own making, had to be endured by the cabinet member concerned. The COS/ES responsibility is to distribute to the respective cabinet members their specific roles as political heat shields or lightning rods;deflecting from DU30 whatever fallout occurs. The COS/ES is the “bastonero,” one who enforces these sordid assignments.

“As an efficient conductor of political heat, these honorable secretaries must prevent damage or serious erosion to the political capital of the presidency.”(Lorenzana, The Manila Times, January 26, 2017)

A case in point is a critical one played by the spokesman of the presidentwho strives almost daily to scrub DU30’s rough edges with his own outer sheen; modulating presidential language in palatable bite sizes served to the public. But by doing so SecretaryAbella continues to expend his own meager political capital and credibility, absorbing heat directed at the president.He becomes the “face of the issue”and could be magnificently consumed by it.

In retrospect, the fallout from the “war on drugs” could have been managed by the justice system and police structure of the state. But the president overlaid by his ‘strongman persona’ couldn’t tame his mischievous side, giving in to the temptation of such pronouncements as “fattening the fish” with the carcasses of the drug lords and addicts. What many suspected to be campaign bluster crept into the deadly political conversation, one that transformed the concept and treatment of human rights with international complications. What could have been a legitimate war against “narco-politics” instead became a transgression against human dignity.

These concerns are attributable to the structural defects of the Office of the President on one hand, and PRRD himself, a singularly overwhelming presence, on the other. The COS/ES, if streamlined well could have alleviated the former; but the latter is exclusively the president’s to moderate.Under these circumstances, you need a COS/ES who can communicate matters to the president, whether he likes to hear them or not. He has to be “willing to speak the truth to power”.

The persona of the Deegong has been extensively discussed and analyzed. What has surfaced are the two aspects of the man and the president; two faces of the same coin. In private he is amiable and oftentimes soft-spoken, the proverbial “humble man carrying a big stick”. In our rare encounters, he was the fine “gentleman of the old school,” knowledgeable on a plethora of subjects. But the conversation always ends up with his bête noire, the drug menace, a recurring theme of his public pronouncements that borders on being monotonous, losing its effective message. But on center stage, an altogether different persona emerges, triggered perhaps by an adoring audience but constantly falling forthe baiting of a confrontational press. Clearly, he needs to read his speeches, curtail his media appearances to a minimum, and use more of his alter egos to carry the burden of the public face of governance.

As discussed in the previous articles, proximity and access to the presidency are paramount concerns for the COS/ES. He traffics who gets to see the president. The COS/ES has to be brutal in scheduling decisions and must enforce the same with discipline and order.

Tapestry of policy

Most problems in government are interconnected, none solely within the jurisdiction of one department.

Presidential decisions more often than not have implications that may involve the justice system, congressional liaisons and budget considerations, etc. The COS/ES’ job is to connect them, weaving disparate viewpoints into one whole tapestry of policy.

The spokesman and cabinet members must have priority access but as to the latter, the COS/ES and his staff must decide who adds value to a presidential face time, and the flow of papers need to be staffed out. (During Ramos’ time, we had his famous CSW, complete staff work).

It is in dealing with the cabinet members, a motley high-power group with their own fiefdoms and legitimate agenda to protect, when tensions arise. They can’t be permitted to unduly burden the president. Thus, the COS/ES and his staff must resolve disputes before they reach the president; be an “honest broker” and not inject his own personal agenda; and all must understand that the COS/ES office is where policy and politics converge.

After 15 months, PRRD has already paid his campaign debts with sinecures distributed around. “Historically, the people who got most presidents in trouble are their old pals from home.”(Whipple) It is high time DU30 changes gears and enhances his coterie of “true believers” with pragmatic political technocrats, to precipitate creative tension producing the kind of intellectual and political energy to get things done. And this should be personified by a new class of presidential operatives under the trusted COS/ES. As Whipple wrote in his book, quoting James Fallows: “…maybe that’s the strength of presidents like Ronald Reagan – who don’t think they’re the smartest person around”.

The most successful leaders“are those that are secure enough to surround themselves with extremely strong-willed, talented people”.

Published in LML Polettiques

Wednesday, 11 October 2017 16:45

More Taiwanese firms keen on expanding in PH

MANILA — More Taiwanese firms in the Philippines are keen on expanding their operations, following the launch of Taiwan’s new policy meant to strengthen its trade and economic ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of Taiwan to the Philippines, said Taiwan’s New Kinpo Electronics Co. has already invested three huge factories here, employing more than 7,500 workers.

“Its fourth new plant is scheduled to open probably before the end of this year,” he bared during the 106^th national day reception of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Monday night.

Lin said Taiwan has already established seven banks in Metro Manila, while Seven Eleven Group has expanded its branch stores to over 1,200.

He added many Taiwanese delegations so far have also visited the Philippines.

“We have seen a steady growth of Taiwanese investments and activities in the Philippines,” he noted.

Lin stressed that Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy (NSP), which was launched last year, has contributed to regional development and forged closer socioeconomic and people-to-people exchanges with the ASEAN members, as well as South Asian countries, and Australia and New Zealand.

“The NSP is conducive to building closer regional linkages and a sense of economic community between Taiwan and the countries of Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

Aside from investments, Lin further said the NSP has resulted in a steady growth of bilateral partnership, resource sharing, talent cultivation, training on jobs, exchange of visits, and set up of various meetings and seminars. (PNA)

Published in News

Wednesday, 11 October 2017 09:17

President Duterte tours HMAS Adelaide, renews full support to allies

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wears the Australian Navy cap which was given as souvenir by Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Adelaide Captain Jonathan Earley during the President’s tour aboard the Australian Navy’s largest vessel which is docked at the Port of Manila on October 10, 2017. Also in the photo are Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely and Australian Embassy Manila Assistant Defence Attache Lt. Col. Gideon Scrimgeour. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA–President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, October 10, visited the largest ship of the Royal Australian Navy and reiterated full support to the Philippines’ allies.

The President was given a tour of the landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Adelaide anchored at the Port of Manila as part of the regional deployment by the Australian Defence Force to strengthen ties within the region.

In his remarks, President Duterte welcomed the officials and crew of the navy ship that is in its maiden deployment to Southeast Asia.

“I’d like to welcome you officially to the Philippines. And we’re happy that you found time to visit us,” he said.

The President discussed the ongoing tension in the Korean Peninsula.

“It’s good to raise our awareness actually now. And it would be also to our advantage if you just go around showing solidarity with the rest of the world. Not only because we face so many challenges and threats, but the small guy there in North Korea is playing with dangerous weapons,” he said.

President Duterte expressed hopes that the situation would not deteriorate into something violent that may destroy Southeast Asia.

“So I hope that in the coming days, we should stay together, especially the alliance between us, Philippines, America, and even China,” he said.

“It’s just a neighbor of China. And any distraction using nuclear bombs, nuclear arms, would destroy Southeast Asia immediately. And the Philippines is no exception,” he added.

The President then reiterated his support to Australia and to the Philippines’ allies.

“And that is why we reiterate our full support with our Australian friends, Americans, and even Chinese, Malaysian, all, to show to this one guy that he has to stop threatening the world. Because he runs the risk of being destroyed first,” he said.

Duterte told the crew of HMAS Adelaide that the Philippines is also suffering from a severe case of terrorism, citing the country’s battle against the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City.

“We’re coping up. We hope that it would be finished in about one week. We have suffered casualties, the biggest so far in present years. And I am sad that terrorism has arrived in my land,” he said.

“We are not against the Moro or the Muslim people. I myself have a little of — because of my grandmother, who was a Maranao Muslim. I don’t have anything against them, but it’s the terrorism that’s being imported,” he explained.

HMAS Adelaide, weighing 27,800 tonnes and 230 meters in length, is designed to provide medical and humanitarian assistance during regional emergencies with its 40-bed hospital that is complete with two operating theatres.

The ship’s 200-meter flight deck can carry up to 12 helicopters. It can accommodate more than 100 vehicles, 2,100 tonnes of cargo and can transport 1,000 military personnel and equipment for a rapid disaster response deployment.

The navy ship will also dock in Subic to continue the crew’s engagement with their Filipino counterparts.

More than 100 Philippine Armed Forces personnel, including the elite Philippine Marines, will participate in a sea-ride on Adelaide’s landing craft for a hands-on experience of the Australian Defence Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capability.

The Australian Embassy noted Australia and the Philippines’ long-standing Defence Cooperation Program, which includes counter-terrorism, maritime security, and capability development assistance to the Armed Force of the Philippines. (PND)

Published in News

Tuesday, 10 October 2017 12:27

SSS studying unemployment insurance —chairman

The Social Security System (SSS) is looking into providing unemployment insurance for its contributing members, according to its chairman, Amado Valdez, in an interview on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

"Pinag-aaralan namin ngayon 'yung unemployment insurance," Valdez said, adding they have sent a task force to Indonesia to meet with the International Labor Organization to study this possible addition to member benefits.

This insurance will ensure temporary financial security for a member should he or she suddenly become unemployed, he said.

"Kung paanong makapagbibigay tayo ng unemployment insurance, yung para bang bigla kang nawalan ng trabaho, at least for six months, madudugtungan yung sweldo mo. Hindi mapuputol yung stream ng income mo, makahanap ka ng trabaho, o mag-retraining ka," Valdez said.

This is one of the current undertakings of the SSS, the last option of which is to increase monthly contributions of its members, Valdez said.

He said they are intensifying their collection efforts and also looking into adjusting the salary base of their contributions.

"Tayong nasa SSS, kayo, 11 percent based on P16,000 lang. Yung mga tumatanggap ng P20,000, P25,000, P30,000, nagrereklamo sila, 'Bakit hindi nyo i-base dun sa actual na tinatanggap namin para malaki yung pension na tatanggapin namin,'" Valdez said.

He said this argument is reasonable, so they may prioritize it.

The anticipated contributions hike may not happen until next year, he added.

Valdez also denied speculations that SSS funds are nearing depletion.

"Hindi yan ang problema natin, Igan, kasi buwan-buwan naman nagko-contribute ang mga kababayan natin. Ang problema natin ngayon kung paano mapalaki yung pondo," he said, adding that he has found that the SSS could be used not only for social protection but also as "people's capital" that could be used for building infrastructure.

At this point in time, the SSS is on track to reaching its yearly target, Valdez said.

"Sa ngayon nakukuha naman natin yung koleksyon na kailangan para madugtungan natin yung...nagdagdag kasi tayo ng P1,000 eh, na pension. Nakukuha natin yun, at sumobra ng konti; in fact, ang increase ng koleksyon namin umabot ng 30 percent, Igan...for six months lang yun," he said.

Valdez also said the SSS is studying whether or not they could have the power to condone penalties for delinquent contributions to further speed up the collection process. —Nicole-Ann Lagrimas/KBK, GMA News

Published in News

Tuesday, 10 October 2017 11:35

Time not yet ripe to renew talks with Reds: AFP

MANILA — It is not yet the right time for the government to resume peace negotiations with rebel groups.

This was emphasized by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año who noted that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) intensified its harassments against civilian and military targets nationwide instead of convincing the government of their ardent desire to pursue peace negotiations.

The confidence building measure the AFP chief is referring is for the CPP-NPA to stop extortion and harassment tactics in the countryside.

“For now, the situation, I think is not conducive to have a peace negotiation instead of doing some confidence measures (or) actions, ang ginagawa nila lalo pa nilang pinag iigting yung pag atake (What they do is intensify the attacks.),” he added.

And should the rebels decide to stop these illegal actions, Año said the government is more than willing to resume the peace negotiations.

“Yung condition lang naman natin at ng Presidente ay Number 1, stop nila ang extortion at saka yung burning and then ceasefire tayo and then we can talk (Our number one condition which is the same as that of the President is for them to stop their extortion and burning activities, then we can have a ceasefire and then we can talk.),” he added.

Peace talks with the rebel group were terminated last Feb. 4 following a series of unprovoked attacks against civilian and military targets nationwide. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

Published in News

Tuesday, 10 October 2017 09:19

Malacañang says CBCP out of touch with reality

Malacañang on Sunday said the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) pastoral letter highlighting the "terror" in President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs is "out of touch" with reality.

"The officials of the (CBCP) are apparently out of touch with the sentiments of the faithful who overwhelmingly support the changes in the Philippines - turning the nation into a safer place for families, working people, especially young night shift workers, far from the 'terror' the bishops paint rather dramatically," Presidential Spokesperson Sec. Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

In its pastoral letter out for pulpit reading in all Sunday Masses, the CBCP expressed concern for the lives of drug suspects and their families amid the government's war on drugs.

"An Additional cause of concern is the reign of terror in many places of the poor. Many are killed not because of drugs. Those who kill them are not brought to account. An even greater cause of concern is the indifference of many to this kind of wrong," the pastoral letter said.

The CBCP also called for the cooperation of the faithful in solving the drug problem and work for the successful rehabilitation of drug suspects.

The bishops added in the pastoral letter that "the Church will continue to speak against evil even as we acknowledge and repent of our own shortcomings."

"We will do this even if it will bring persecution upon us because we are all brothers and sisters responsible for each other. We will help drug addicts so that they may be healed and start a new life," the CBCP said.

Abella said instead of lambasting the government's war on drugs, CBCP should instead build the moral character of its faithful and contribute in peace-making of communities.

"The efforts of these Church leaders might be put to better use in practical catechetics that build strong moral character among the faithful, and so contribute more to the reign of peace felt by ordinary citizens everywhere, especially those who are innocent of illegal activities," Abella said.

Before the release of the pastoral letter, Duterte called the Catholic Church "full of shit" following several bishops' expression of criticism against his war on drugs. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News

Published in News

Palace hands off on Bautista impeachment

Duterte not yet abandoning peace talks with Reds — Bello

CBCP to formally launch ‘Stop the Killings’ nationwide campaign

Sara Duterte sears ‘opportunistic’ Pangilinan, Hontiveros, Trillanes

One hell of a chief of staff

More Taiwanese firms keen on expanding in PH

President Duterte tours HMAS Adelaide, renews full support to allies

SSS studying unemployment insurance —chairman

Time not yet ripe to renew talks with Reds: AFP

Malacañang says CBCP out of touch with reality

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