BY GERARD NAVAL

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines yesterday backed a Senate investigation on the Palace "payoffs" as contained in Resolution 172 filed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Monday.

"Our country is not only suffering from economic bankruptcy but also moral bankruptcy, disappointingly being shown by our leaders," CBCP president Angel Lagdameo said.

Lagdameo, archbishop of Jaro, Iloilo, noted the decision of Malacañang to use the word "gift" instead of its actual "appearance" as being a "bribe."

"Bribery is not an acceptable word even to culprits. In order to feel good and escape the blame of conscience, bribe is also called a gift," the bishop said.

Lagdameo said it is morally wrong to accept bribes especially when it involves questionable issues on the accountability and transparency of the "gifts."

"Ang totoong issue sa sinasabing moral bankruptcy ay yung acts ng Malacañang to bribe local officials," CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said.

Lagdameo said it is better to clarify the circumstances involving the distribution of cash through a congressional investigation.

At least two governors, including Fr. Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga and Joselito Mendoza of Bulacan, have admitted having received P200,000 to P500,000.

Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Oscar Cruz said the alleged payoffs are definite proof that Arroyo is hell-bent on staying on by "any means possible."

Lacson said Panlilio and Mendoza will be invited to the Senate inquiry.

He appealed to other local officials and congressmen who may have received cash gifts to come out and testify.

"May inter-parliamentary courtesy tayo (in the case of congressmen) pero kung gusto nila mag-volunteer they can come forward," Lacson said.

Some 190 administration congressmen reportedly received P200,000 to P500,000 after a meeting with Arroyo in Malacañang Thursday.

About 40 provincial governors reportedly received P200,000 to P500,000 while several mayors received smaller amounts after a separate meeting with the President at the Palace on the same day.

Lacson and Sen. Francis Escudero urged the two governors to keep the money intact as they said this would be important evidence that money changed hands.

Lacson said the paper band used to hold together the bundles of P1,000 bills given to Panlilio and Mendoza may give a clue on whether the "cash gifts" were government or private money.

The Land Bank is a government-run bank through which government funds are usually disbursed, he said.

Escudero said the serial numbers on the bills could give Senate probers a clue where the money came from.

"Sa totoo lang yung mga bundle at balot ng pera puwede nating i-trace kung saan nanggaling yang perang yan, saang bangko nanggaling, sino ang nag-withdraw," he said.

Escudero said the bribery that took place inside the Malacañang grounds demonstrated the "disrespect" given by those involved toward the institution.

Lacson said Malacañang may have also violated the Revised Penal Code on bribery and the code of ethical standards for government officials.

"Maski anong anggulo ... walang susuotan talaga. Maski sabihing campaign contributions, bakit ibibigay sa governor, samantalang ito non-partisan dapat ang (barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan) election," he said.

But Escudero suggested that the Senate allow the Ombudsman to first investigate the "payoff."

"Trabaho ng Ombudsman dapat imbestigahan ito. Pagkakataon ito na sana ay hindi sayangin ng ating Ombudsman," he said.

Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel said the distribution of huge sums of money to the congressmen and local chief executives by Malacañang without any accompanying disbursement papers is enough to show that a bribe was given.

"Given the circumstances behind the distribution of the money, it is obviously intended to buy support for the President in the face of new impeachment moves against her," Pimentel said.

HOUSE TO PROBE ‘PAYOFF’

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño sponsored House resolution 288 urging the committee on ethics and good government to jointly or separately investigate the Palace "payoff" last Thursday.

Casiño said: "We can always ask them (administration lawmakers who are committee leaders) to inhibit."

He said members of the minority bloc could move to assume the role of committee leaders and members.

The ethics panel is chaired by Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona. Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo heads the good government panel.

Madrona admitted he was at the meeting but said he was not offered money because he left early.

The committee on ethics could impose a penalty which ranges from reprimand, suspension to expulsion. Any decision should be upheld by the House in plenary by a two-thirds vote.

The Madrona panel can only investigate unethical practices. The good government panel can exercise jurisdiction over allegations of graft and corruption against other government officials.

Casiño said the revelation of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran that Kampi deputy secretary general Francis Ver attempted to bribe him P2 million to endorse the "weak" impeachment complaint against the President could be investigated simultaneously with the new bribery issue.

The resolution said: "There is a need for Congress to uncover all the facts amid allegations, to ferret out the whole truth regarding the alleged bribery attempts, to pursue legal actions deemed appropriate regarding the said circumstances, and to hold accountable all those responsible for any wrongdoing."

The resolution said such "unexplained cash disbursements and their receipt by public officials" are violations of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code and Conduct of Ethical Standards of Public Officials, the Revised Penal Code, the annual General Appropriations Act, and Presidential Decree 46 of 1972 which prohibits public officials and employees to receive gifts from private individuals on any occasion, including Christmas. – With JP Lopez and Wendell Vigilia