CBCP: No reason to apologize for EDSA 2

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) does not see a reason why it should apologize to the public for the People Power 2 revolt in 2001 that led to the downfall of the Estrada administration. “That (People Power 2) was an initiative of the Manila Archdiocese led by Cardinal Sin and not of the CBCP,” said Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the CBCP president. His statement was echoed by Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who said the CBCP has nothing to do with People Power 2, also dubbed EDSA 2. “The CBCP had nothing to do with Edsa 2. It was Manila who decided to support EDSA 2. Besides, you do not judge a decision seven years after it took place,” he said. The two prelates were reacting to former President Joseph Estrada’s recent pronouncement that the CBCP should apologize to the Filipinos for purportedly robbing them of their leader and whose plight worsened following his ouster seven years ago. “They (CBCP) committed sin to the people. If they had done what was right, Filipinos would not be suffering right now because of poverty. Maybe, they should ask for the public’s forgiveness,” Estrada said. He was reacting to Manila archdiocese vice chancellor Fr Sid Marinay statement wherein he said that the CBCP now realizes that Edsa 2 weakened, instead of strengthened, the country’s political structures. - GMANews.TV