DAGUPAN CITY–Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz warns that the composite possibility is that Presidential Proclamation 1017 "could ultimately bring down even the present holder of the presidential office".

Cruz, former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines, said that "eventually it could spell the undoing of the national future particularly in its political, economic and socio- ethical features".

To concretize the same truth, it could in effect anger more and more people, make these more resentful and engage in more dissenting moves productive of more disorder and conflict, he said.

" It would be possible that all could be eventually losers," he said.

The prelate said the content and extent of Proclamation 1017 depends much on the judgement call of the one holding the presidential office in the country. "And this is the key consideration on how in order or out of order is making the proclamation, how beneficial or disastrous it is for the
country as a whole –- young and old, rich and poor, educated and ignorant", he said.

He added that "even as of these days, there is a good number of thoughts that the proclamation is not altogether intended for its objective finality– but rather for the personal self-preservation of those in power and influence".

"While such thinking could be wrong, it is there and it appears to be making a headway among the thinking and the impoverished people as well," he said.

Cruz added,"One wonders who are those happy for Presidential Proclamation 1017–in conscience and in truth".