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	Philippine Catholic Priest Issued Warrant of Arrest over Gambling Fight By Komfie Manalo All Headline News May 13, 2008 http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010934785 Manila, Philippines (AHN) - A court in Manila, Philippines has issued a warrant of arrest against anti-gambling crusader and staunch critic of the Arroyo government, Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, over a libel case filed against him by a lady executive of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Judge Antonio Rosales issued the warrant against Cruz and recommended a $250 bail for his temporary liberty. The charge against the Catholic bishop stemmed from an article that was published in several newspapers on June 28, 2004 wherein Cruz allegedly accuse the lady executive acting as "pitiful GROs" (guest relations officers) during the birthday party of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in 2004. In May, the Department of Justice also filed a libel case against Cruz for "falsely and maliciously imputed to them (Pagcor employees) acts that have caused dishonor to, and besmirched their reputation as women when he described them in the said article." But Cruz said he sees the hands of the Arroyo administration in the filing of libel against him. Cruz earlier said, "It is Malaca?ang with its ever-loyal and subservient allies like Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) and DOJ that wants to silence me," Cruz said in a telephone interview with GMANews.TV last month. The Philippines is a highly-devout Catholic nation and most government try to avoid "picking a fight" with the Catholic Church. The Archbishop is a known critic of the Arroyo administration and is a staunch anti-gambling crusader. But Cruz addsm tge case was earlier dismissed by the Manila Prosecutors Office, but was revived by the DOJ when the complainants filed a motion for reconsideration. He said the case against him was weak because he did not identify any of the women, and was instead acting on their defense when he criticized the way Pagcor treated them during the birthday bash of Arroyo's husband.
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