By Ferdinand G. Patinio
MANILA, July 8 (PNA) — The issues on K to 12 program, the 2016 elections, drug-trafficking, illegal drugs are among the possible topics that will be discussed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during its 111th Plenary Assembly this weekend.
Msgr. Marvin Mejia, CBCP Secretary General, said they have invited several personalities, including Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Jose Andres Bautista, Senator Vicente Sotto III, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro, to talk about the issues concerning their office/department.
“For discussion on K to 12 program, particularly on the impact of the program to teachers and parentsm we are inviting Sec. Luistro…Another topic would be drug trafficking in the country and we are inviting Sen. Sotto,” he said.
He added, “We invited Chairman Bautista because the elections in 2016 would be part of the discussion. They want to know especially the automated or manual process. What system…basically the bishops want to know what is the plan of the Comelec.”
Mejia said that the topic on drugs is in the agenda since some bishops have expressed concern over the proliferation of drugs in their dioceses.
“…There are bishops who expressed real concern on the proliferation of prohibited drugs in their dioceses. Its not being reported but actually some bishops see that this is really a growing problem. What somehow triggers it is what happened to (Mary Jane) Veloso. She was accused basically of drug trafficking, di ba?” he said.
The Catholic prelate added that they also invited people from a rehabilitation center based in Legazpi City or Masbate to talk about their success stories.
He added that the bishops might issue pastoral statements on the issues they have tackled during the plenary meeting which will start Saturday, July 11, until Sunday, July 12.
“There will be a canonical vote on some liturgical books. ‘Yung English translation of some liturgical books…the bishops might come up with one or two pastoral statements on the matters that would be discussed,” Mejia said.
A total of 111 active and retired bishops are expected to attend the event to be held at the Pope Pius Center in Manila.
The bishops’ meet is held biannually every January and July. (PNA)