Zamboanga, Basilan Bishops Return Vehicles to Pcso, Zamboanga Today, July 19, 2011

Zamboanga, Basilan Bishops Return Vehicles to Pcso

Zamboanga Today
July 19, 2011

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/5404-zamboanga-basilan-bishops-return-vehicles-to-pcso-.html

Pope Benedict XVI salutes faithful during the Angelus prayer at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, in the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, July 17, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during the Angelus prayer at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, in the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, July 17, 2011.

In this March 9, 2011 photo Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, is seen at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. Rigali, 76, is expected to step down Tuesday, July 19, 2011 after eight tumultuous years leading the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He is under pressure for his handling of a long-running priest sex-abuse scandal.

Zamboanga City Archbishop Romulo Valles yesterday morning returned the controversial Toyota Grandia vehicle to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Zamboanga Branch located along Veterans Ave, this city.

Valles' driver personally returned the vehicle and turned over the key to PCSO Zamboanga Branch manager Raul Regondola in his office along Governor Camins ext..

Valles declined to be interviewed, however his representative said the white Toyota Grandia with plate No. KEE 238 has been returned to the PCSO and the Archbishop has nothing to say about the issue anymore as he considers the case closed.

Meanwhile, the flesh-colored Strada pick-up with plate no. JCW 501 under Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad also arrived at the Zamboanga wharf around 8:30 a.m. from Isabela City on board the M/V Estephanie.

Fr. Arnel Lagman, who was sent by Jumoad to accompany the vehicle, delivered it first at the Sacred Heart Center, Valles' official residence along R.T. Boulevard, before it was returned to PCSO.

In an interview over Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), Jumoad stressed the controversy has brought him pain and it was much better to return the pick-up because it will only serve as reminder of the pain inflicted on his person if the vehicle continues to stay in his possession.

"It is much better to return the vehicle so I will not remember the pain inflicted on us. Of course my mobility will be limited because as of the moment I have no dependable vehicle," Jumoad said in the long distance interview.

In an interview, Regondola disclosed he received a call both from Valles and Jumoad that they are returning the vehicles which was supposed to be at 1:00 in the afternoon. But for unknown reason, Valles ordered his driver to return it in the morning.

"We have no reason not to accept the vehicles since it is incumbent upon the bishops their desire and intention to return the vehicles to PCSO, although our office did not order the prelates to return it." Regondola said.

Regondola said he received instructions from his PCSO boss Carlito Kho to accept the vehicles if the bishops will return it and see to it all papers are in order.

He said all the employees have been affected by the controversy but said he fully support's PCSO chair Margarita Juico.

"I am standing behind them in their quest to eradicate corruption in our bureau. Under the policy or charter of the PCSO, we can only release funds for charity purposes. Since the vehicles are not part of it, and if the bishops did not used it for charity purposes, then there is something wrong with it," Regondola said.

The PCSO said it is not a justification for their chairman to resign on the issue.

"We are all humans and we make mistakes. Nakoriente lang ata ang chairman as far as the Pajero is concerned. Even she does not know where that pajero came from whether she uttered those words or not. The Pajero incident is not the main issue. I support her to go for the truth," Regondola stressed.

He said it was only during the controversy when he knew that Valles and Jumoad received the vehicles from PCSO.

He said the PCSO Manila has issued checks in their favor for them to purchase the vehicles.