Bishop, parish priest allegedly scuffle inside Tondo church

A bishop and a priest were caught in an alleged fight inside an office that was caught on video, but the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the incident was a misunderstanding between the two clergymen.

According to Chino Gaston’s exclusive report in "24 Oras" on Wednesday, the altercation happened inside the St. Joseph Parish in Gagalingan, Tondo, Manila. 

Parochial administrator Fr. Alfonso Valeza claimed Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias tried to choke him during the incident inside the church office.

The priest said the heated argument was about his ouster from the parish due to his accusations against alleged corrupt priests.

“Nabigla ako kasi talagang sinakal ako dito na napakahigpit,” said Valeza.

(I was surprised because he choked me very tightly.)

“Sabi nya sa 'kin, ‘Hindi may decision na, lumayas ka na dito’,” Valeza added. “Parang mayroong nag-petition letter laban sa akin kaya sabi ko bigay niyo sa amin yung petition letter, because it is our right.” 

([The bishop] told me that a decision has already been made and I must leave… I believe someone wrote a petition letter against me and I asked for a copy of the letter because it’s our right.)

CCTV footage also showed  a woman parishioner trying to intervene, with Tobias pushing her away during the scuffle.

GMA Integrated News tried to reach out to Tobias, but the Archdiocese of Manila spoke on his behalf.

The archdiocese admitted that there was no proper turnover of the parish which led to the commotion. But it clarified that Tobias was just trying to pacify Valeza and did not mean to harm him.

“Ayun na nga parang nagwawala si Father Al. Parang hindi naman siya sinakal, parang pina-pacify siya ni Bishop,  pero the interpretation was sinasakal,” said Fr. Reginald Malicdem, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Manila.

(It seemed that Father Al was in a rage. He was not really choked, but he was being pacified by the Bishop but he interpreted it that he was being choked.)

The report said Valeza was ousted from the parish after he failed to comply with Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula’s order for him in the past two years to undergo counseling due to his "unstable personality".

“Meron kasing history of defiance si Father Al. Before in-assign ni Cardinal si Father Al doon sa parish, may kundisyon na binigay si Cardinal, you have to undergo some renewal program to help his personality,” said Malicdem.

(Father Al has a history of defiance. Before he was assigned to the parish by the Cardinal with the condition that he must undergo some renewal program to help his personality.)

The report said Valeza’s removal was not related to the corruption allegations within the Catholic Church. —Vince Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News