A SENIOR prelate yesterday expressed belief the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines would not call for President Arroyo’s resignation at the conclusion of their 96th biannual plenary assembly.

"If they are aiming for that (call for resignation), I don’t think that will happen. Whether they will issue a statement or not and what statement, I really don’t know. (But) when you say a morally bankrupt administration what will you say next? Stay?" said Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, former CBCP president.

Last Friday, a large number of civil society groups met with around 50 bishops at the sidelines of the plenary assembly to urge them to tackle what they called as "litany of sins" of Arroyo.

According to Fr. Joe Dizon, convenor of Solidarity Philippines, they did not ask the bishops to call for Arroyo’s resignation. He said they would welcome a "moral persuasion" addressed to "a morally bankrupt government."

At the height of the allegations of Malacañang’s bribery of congressmen last October, the CBCP called the Arroyo government morally bankrupt.

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said it is highly improbable that the CBCP would urge Arroyo to quit.

"I have my doubts that the bishops would come out with statements like that because what we are asking more is to look at the moral principles and let the citizens decide based on these moral principles," said Ledesma, former CBCP vice president.

He expressed belief the most that the bishops would call for more transparency and accountability in government given the numerous controversies it is already in.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, head of the CBCP public affairs committee, said there will be "a pastoral letter on how to free the country from its problems on the side of the bishops" but declined to elaborate.

The CBCP traditionally releases statements on various issues discussed at the plenary assembly which was held at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

It is scheduled to hold a press conference today at the CBCP head office in Intramuros, Manila. – Gerard Naval