A Filipino magazine has a small subscription base, but a big impact.

This month, with the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the brink, "those girls" put out a special edition: an account of a meeting of the council of bishops, during which the papal nuncio told them – "scolded them," the magazine said – to stay out of politics.

What stunned most Filipinos, accustomed to the past involvement in politics by the church, was that the bishops neither endorsed Mrs. Arroyo, nor called for her resignation.