• Rep. Edcel C. Lagman
• Tel No. 4155455
• Mobile No. 0916-6406737 / 0918-9120137
• 05 July 2011

Pajero Bishops Committed

No Crime But A Moral Sin

          Solicitation or acceptance by Catholic bishops of motor vehicle or cash gifts from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is not a crime per se, but is morally offensive.

           The Catholic Church is way too rich to be a charity case and has more than sufficient resources to finance its charitable work without competing with countless indigent patients and legitimate charity beneficiaries.

           There is no offense defined under the Revised Penal Code or any act punishable by special penal law which would criminalize the solicitation or acceptance by Catholic bishops of motor vehicle or cash donations from the PCSO.

           Likewise, there is no implementing penal statute which penalizes any violation of the doctrine of separation of Church and State as enshrined in the Constitution prohibiting the (1) establishment of a State religion and (2) appropriating or utilizing public money or property for the use, benefit or support of any religion or clergy.

           Nonetheless, acts violative of the separation of Church and State are unconstitutional and can be nullified by the courts, but no penal sanctions can be imposed in the absence of a corresponding penal statute.

           However, under Section 8 of the PCSO Charter (R.A. No. 1169, as amended) any officer or employee of a charitable institution who uses funds obtained from PCSO for purposes other than those authorized under the law shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than one month and not more than three years.

           Accordingly, any bishop who uses a motor vehicle or cash obtained from PCSO for non-charitable purposes is criminally liable under the PCSO Charter.