MANILA. With or without the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Malacañang will push through with its "election summit" agenda to map out measures for clean, honest and orderly elections in May.

Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo said yesterday preparations for the summit are proceeding well and invitations have been sent to concerned sectors that include the CBCP, the Philippine National Police, the Commission on Elections and private poll watchdogs.

Saludo said that based on their responses, the invited organizations are amenable to the planning meeting for the summit.

"Even if an organization might or would not join the summit, we requested that it send a representative to get firsthand information on how the summit would be conducted, its objectives, participants, issues, activities and other aspects of the event, which may help in finalizing its position on the summit," he said. "Observers are welcome to fully participate in the planning meeting deliberations."

The Comelec, the PNP, and the Department of Education have been requested to prepare 10-minute reports on their preparations, personnel and logistics deployment, and other operational matters relating to the elections, to be presented at the planning meeting, he said.

Saludo said they were still waiting for a formal reply from the CBCP, adding that an invitation was sent as well to the leadership of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).

The INC, Saludo disclosed, declined but expressed its full support to the Malacañang-led initiative for a free, orderly and honest elections.

Though the CBCP has not sent its reply to Malacañang, its president, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, said he is "wary and skeptical" about the summit.

When it comes to dealing with clean and peaceful polls, Lagdameo pointed out, commitment is pretty much needed rather than anything else.

He said ensuring credible elections has been the law and the desideratum ever since.

"Let each do that and just that ensuring and working for 'clean, honest and orderly election,' avoiding violence, deceit and cheating of every kind," the clergy said.
Lagdameo stressed that nothing less is more acceptable for the CBCP than deeds instead of pure words.

Outspoken Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan also scoffed at Mrs. Arroyo's invitation, saying, "the caller is not exactly known for having cleanly and honestly won its own election to office."

Cruz is referring to allegations that Mrs. Arroyo cheated her way to victory in the 2004 elections with the help of corrupt poll officials.

"It is the standard big words, grandiose idea and glorious vision but as usual, it is doubtful in immediate objective and dubious in its eventual goal," he said.

"What comes to mind is the image of a spider inviting a fly to its sticky and deadly parlor. This is so good for the big spider but so bad for the tiny fly," Cruz added.