BACOLOD City – The Dioceses of Bacolod and Dumaguete issued a warning to the public over reports of unauthorized solicitation purporting to have come from their respective Offices of Bishop.
Diocese of Bacolod chancellor, Rev. Fr.
Christian Gesulgon, said Bishop Patricio Buzon has not authorized anyone to
solicit on his behalf and, as such, any solicitation purporting to have come
from him or the diocese or any appeal for donations involving name dropping of
the bishop or diocese is a scam.
The diocese official explained, it is standing policy of the diocese that all
financial transactions, including donations involving the diocese itself and
the bishop, shall all be properly coursed through the Office of the Diocesan
Oeconomus.
Additionally, he pointed out, they issue corresponding official receipts to
donors.
Gesulgon added, they were informed that unauthorized solicitation is being
conducted via social media and text messaging applications by instructing
people to donate through a particular bank account supposedly connected to the
church.
He also requested the public to immediately report such incidents to the
Chancery Office of the Diocese of Bacolod, located at the Bishop’s Palace.
Meanwhile, Diocese of Dumaguete chancellor, Rev. Fr. Carmelito Limbaga, Jr.,
also released a similar statement and called on the public not to fall for the
“modus” and be extra vigilant in addressing such requests.
He pointed out, should there be any solicitation in their locality, the public
must verify and confirm the request by contacting their office in Dumaguete
City./PN
