In a move that unified the stand of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu and leading bishops of the Catholic and other Christian churches that support the National Transformation Council, Cardinal Vidal called on Benigno S. Aquino III to immediately relinquish his post as President of the Philippines.
At a press conference held at his residence in Ceby City today, February 13, 2015, Cardinal Vidal stated that "the National Transformation Council has strongly articulated that the President should step down."
A joint statement with other bishops further explained that "In our honest desire to protect our people from further degeneration, disasters and armed conflicts, we strongly demand that the whole government step down so our country can transform through a new and fresh start. Let the National Transformation Council, in a caretaker capacity, embrace the responsibility of forming a new government in a new system and context."
The bishops likewise cited the Mamasapano incident as "the summit of many mishandling of the President’s obligations, revealing the subterfuge of illegal, unconstitutional and immoral foundation of the present regime are now evident. The urgent call from the NTC for the stepping down of the president and his cohorts resonates the general feeling of the people. His misrule clearly indicates his illegitimate claim to the position. His continuing stay endangers the lives of our people and adversely affects the moral landscape of the nation."
Cardinal Vidal was joined by the following Catholic bishops and archbishops: Fernando Capalla, Davao Archbishop Emeritus; Romulo de la Cruz, Archbishop of Zamboanga; Ramon Arguelles, Archbishop of Lipa; Filomeno Bactol, Bishop of Naval; Jose Palma, Archbishop of Cebu; and Father Carlito Clase (on behalf of Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Bishop of Butuan). Other Christian churches represented were Bishop Butch Belgica, Christians Bishops of the Philippines and Pastor Arthur Corpus, United Church of Manila.
