Don't criticize the short skirts, bishop

In the US, bishops are criticized for playing politics when they tell politicians who back abortion on demand and partial birth abortion is a sin.

In the Philippines, they play hard ball.

Bishop Cruz, one of the major critics of the Arroyo administration, has been arrested for "libel" because four years ago he wrote that women at a convention were told to dress sexy.

From the Inquirer:


The libel case stemmed from a statement that Cruz made on June 28, 2004, wherein he slammed the birthday party for the President's husband Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo for its "exploitation" of "women (government) employees" who were made to "entertain" the celebrator and "close associates" like "pitiful GRO (guest relations officers)."

Cruz said the women, who were marketing assistants at Pagcor, were instructed to "dance with them" and "don't wear your wedding rings" before they were brought to Malacañang to entertain guests during the birthday party for Mike Arroyo on June 26, 2004.

The Manila city prosecutor's office had previously dismissed the complaint filed by the women against Cruz.

But the Department of Justice reversed the Manila prosecutor's decision.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, upon review, said the Church leader had defamed the women. Last month, he ordered the refiling of libel charges against Cruz.

Gee, imagine what would have happened if the libel law had been used against Matt Drudge?