Again, the report was feasted on by other media outlets as if it was gospel truth.

The report turned out to be untrue. In fact, it angered the otherwise mild mannered prelate.

In a statement signed by Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Cardinal Vidal called for "a stop of political intrigues especially those using the names of the bishops and the church."

Cardinal Vidal reiterated his position that he is standing by the statement of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on the current political situation.

That statement calls for the nation to move on forward and avoid partisan politics, among others.

Cardinal Vidal also repeated his calls for prayers for the nation especially its political leaders.

The call of Cardinal Vidal has been supporting by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales and lately Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai and Supreme Bishop Eraño Manalo of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Malacañang has taken these calls for sobriety by the top religious leaders of the country very seriously.

It is for this reason that Malacañang has "turned the other cheek" on the latest opposition attacks like the broadside fired by former President Cory Aquino over the weekend.

As Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said, "Malacañang will just focus on its work on governance and addressing the needs of our countrymen."

Malacañang has been consistently maintaining the attitude of trying to ignore opposition brickbats (the opposition has thrown everything on its way including the proverbial sink).

And it seems that President Arroyo is right about not allowing the attacks of the opposition to get in the way between her and good governance.

The policy seems to have paid off in a resilient economy which seems to have been withstanding what is considered by many as the worst political crisis that has ever hit the country.

The latest news is that the Philippine peso is strengthening. It has become the strongest currencies in Asia. And as the Manila Bulletin bannered the other day, the economy of the country attained a 5 percent growth.

How could certain political leaders and some media institutions be so irresponsible to peddle lies that will only serve to destabilize the country is beyond comprehension?

Have we really become such gluttons for punishment?

Have some of our political leaders become so obsessed with bringing President Gloria down that they are willing to burn the entire nation to achieve their ends?

And what about the church? Will our church leaders just allow certain people to use their name in vain?

There are those who believe that those who use the names of bishops and the church in vain should be excommunicated for the serious damage that they have caused.