Prelates air best choices for presidency in May polls

MANILA, February 16, 2010—As the political campaign season shifts to high gear, Catholic bishops have underscored the need for good governance and rid the country of graft and corruption. In a random survey among Catholic bishops over the weekend, most of the bishops said they would like to know their specific programs to stop graft and corruption in government along with measures to mitigate poverty in both rural and urban areas. “I will ask them how they will stop corruption in government,” Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, former CBCP President said. He added he would also ask presidential aspirants “not to become part of corrupt practices and commit one’s self to honesty and accountability should he or she wins the presidency.” CBCP Vice President and Palo (Leyte) Archbishop Jose Palma said presidential aspirants should make clear their strategies to end graft and corrupt practices and alleviate poverty. Both Kalookan Bishop Deogracias S. Iniguez, Jr. and Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr. agreed with Archbishop Palma’s views, emphasizing the need to stop graft and corrupt practices at all levels and branches of government. “I would like to know what these presidential aspirants plan to do with past graft and corrupt practices committed by previous government executives,” Bishop Iniguez said. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo would like to know of the presidential aspirants’ specific programs to guarantee transparency and accountability in government. Sorsogon Bishop Arturo M. Bastes, SVD said presidential aspirants should unveil their strategies to rid the country of graft and corruption “from top to bottom.” He added if and when the country’s next president successfully puts a stop to graft and corruption, he or she would rise to become the country’s greatest chief executive. Coming from the less developed portion of Quezon Province, Gumaca Bishop Buenaventura M. Famadico wants to know the presidential aspirants’ programs to reduce poverty and improve the poor people’s lot. Still from the country’s poorest province of Maguindanao, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo would like to be appraised of the candidates’ views on the rebellion and Muslim militancy in southern Philippines. “How would these presidential aspirants pursue the peace process?” he asked. He said the next president should sincerely address poverty, illegal drugs, lack of social services and corruption. Catarman (Northern Samar) Bishop Emmanuel C. Trance expressed concern on peace-building, environmental protection and human development. He would like to be told of the presidential candidates’ views on military presence in the countryside, unfinished and haphazard and slow infrastructure projects in Eastern Visayas. Batanes Bishop Camilo D. Gregorio wants to know what the country’s next president would do if anti-life and anti-family measures get enacted by both Houses of Congress. Legazpi Bishop Emeritus Jose C. Sorra wants to hear programs geared towards human development from the presidential aspirants. Sounding optimistic, Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles said he hopes the next president would be good, honest and truly loves the people and institute changes for the better. (Melo M. Acuña)

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