5 priests allegedly with 
children cited in text msg

BACOLOD CITY – In the wake of the “Team Patay/Team Buhay” poster controversy, the Diocese of Bacolod, which campaigns against the Reproductive Health law, is under attack for its priests who allegedly have children.

A text message dubbed “Team Tatay” circulated here late last week by a group called “Buklod ng Malayang Pilipino” lists the names of five priests.

Meanwhile, on social networking sight Facebook a “Team Damaso” poster has also been uploaded. Titled “The Team Damaso ang Tunay Na Patay,” it includes Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra, an archbishop, five bishops and a priest.

Navarra said in a media interview the attacks on the clergy are “very unchristian.”

The Bacolod bishop said certain priests who have committed indiscretions have repented.

They have reformed and have made amends, Navarra added.

The “Team Tatay” and “Team Damaso” attacks came days after the  Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against the Commission on Elections'  order to  remove the “Team Patay/Team Buhay” poster at the San Sebastian Cathedral here.

The giant posted mounted on the church’s façade contains a list of pro-RH and anti-RH legislators who are running for senators in the May elections.

Listed under the “Team Patay” are those who supported the passage of the RH law, including Team PNoy candidates Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Francis Escudero, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara and former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros.

Also included are Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr. of the United Nationalist Alliance and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño.

“Team Buhay” lists the lawmakers who were against the approval of the RH law. They are Team PNoy candidates Sen. Antonio Trillanes, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former Las Piñas City Rep. Cynthia Villar and UNA candidates San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada, Zambales Rep. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, and Sen. Gregorio Honasan.

Ralph Sarmiento, the bishop’s lawyer, said that while the TRO is just a temporary relief, the bishop considers it “a big victory in the fight of the Diocese to stand by the Constitutional rights to freedom of expression and to protect the principle of separation of the Church and the state.”*