BY GERARD NAVAL

ARCHBISHOP Angel Lagdameo yesterday said a reported division among bishops is a mere "perception" as the prelates are united in their mandate of giving moral direction to their faithful.

Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said the CBCP’s call for communal action in search for truth, justice and accountability in government corruption is one of the best examples of the bishops’ unity.

"That was approved by the CBCP body. So, you see we are united," he said.

The call for communal action came amid fresh allegations of graft in government, particularly the national broadband network project whose approval was allegedly attended by payoffs and bribes that overpriced the deal with the Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

The allegations triggered fresh calls for President Arroyo’s ouster, which some bishops have openly supported. The stand of other bishops to remain supportive of the administration gave rise to the conclusion that the CBCP is divided.

Also, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Lagdameo’s call for a "new brand of people power" is not of the entire CBCP.

Differences among the prelates might only be on certain issues but not on their doctrinal teachings, said Lingayen-Dagupan Oscar Cruz, former CBCP president.

"The CBCP is united in doctrine… but in judging a socio-moral issue or socio-political issue, we could be different or there could be some different considerations," he said.

He confirmed there are "pro-administration bishops" but, he added, "I also know that there are some bishops who are already determined to have the communal action in their dioceses."

"Each one does what he thinks will be in accordance with the call of communal action. The CBCP does not tell anybody to go where. It leaves everybody free," he added.