Roy Lagarde

MANILA, June 11, 2010- A Catholic bishop called on the incoming administration to be active in the campaign to eliminate "all unlawful gambling," especially jueteng.

Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian said president-elect Benigno Aquino III should also turn his attention to the illegal numbers game and to jueteng lords who remain untouchable.

"It will be a miracle (if Aquino could stop jueteng) but we are hoping he could do something about it," Jaucian said.

The bishop said jueteng has been a problem that past administrations have failed to totally eradicate.

MANILA, June 3, 2010- Catholic bishops on Thursday called on the incoming president to abolish one of the "biggest source" of funds for corruption: pork barrel.

MANILA, May 20, 2010-Outspoken Archbishop Oscar Cruz said he has witnesses to prove that results of the May 10 national elections were manipulated.

MANILA, May 13, 2010- The head of the Manila's Roman Catholic Church is asking the country's next president to address issues of "corruption" that worsened under the Arroyo administration.

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales who had lived and worked for the poor Filipinos said one hopeful solution to corruption which further aggravates poverty in the country is "good leadership."

MANILA, April 29, 2010-Lay missionary organization Couples for Christ (CFC) clarified that it will not engaged in partisan politics.

Bro. Jose Tale, CFC President made the statement Thursday to erase any perception that one of the Catholic Church's biggest lay group is backing a presidentiable or any candidate.

"Even as we call for the active involvement of each one of us individually, CFC will remain non-partisan as an institution," Tale said.

MANILA, Feb. 18, 2010- The head of Manila's Catholic Church said condoms are not the answer to the country's fight against HIV and describing as "narrow-minded" the government's response to it.

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said condoms will never solve the AIDS epidemic and could make the problem even worse.

Rosales assailed the Department of Health (DOH), saying they are being instrumental to the deterioration of the morals of the society, especially the youth.

MANILA, Feb. 4, 2010- With the May elections drawing near, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) called for a ceasefire in its feud with a fellow poll watchdog.

PPCRV national chairperson Henrietta de Villa said they are willing to work with the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) if only to pave the way for credible and peaceful elections.

"We can always work together in many ways," De Villa told reporters on Thursday.

MANILA, Jan. 22, 2010- President Arroyo has no power to appoint the next chief justice of the Supreme Court, constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, said Friday.

Bernas, dean emeritus of the Ateneo Law School, said that Mrs. Arroyo will be violating the Constitution if she would insist in appointing the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

The Charter, he said, forbids the President from making appointments within 60 days before her term ends on June 30 this year.

MANILA, Jan. 15, 2010-The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has called for a second mass collection for Haitian relief efforts.

The decision was reached Friday night by CBCP President Bishop Nereo Odchimar after a consultation with members of the CBCP Permanent Council.

Parishes are requested to take the second collection in all Masses that will be held next Sunday, January 24 in all parishes across the country.