Prelates Call for Informed, Responsible Electorate

MANILA, February 11, 2010-As the political campaign season turns to high gear this week, Catholic prelates called on electorate to be responsible and well informed.

This was the appeal of Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Jr. as he also appealed to the candidates for their sincerity in seeking public office.

The same sentiment was expressed by Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo who also called on politicians to heed their conscience and inform the electorate of what is true, accurate and correct.

"They should never sell their souls to the devil just to win and never harm their political opponents," the prelate told CBCPNews.

He called on the electorate to check the candidates' track records, their capability to govern and their integrity.

"Let's all pray and work for a peaceful and clean election," he said.

Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez called on the politicians not to cheat, not to use goons and no personal attacks. He urged both politicians and the electorate to watch and pray.

"The candidates should show how to address poverty, environmental destruction, global warming and a host of other problems," he told CBCPNews.

He also said candidates and their campaigners should also show respect for the trees by not posting their campaign materials on them.

Former CBCP President Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo said "politics in general is selfishly divisive."

In a text message to CBCPNews, the senior prelate took note of text messages circulating around the country that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is separately supporting presidential aspirants Manuel B. Villar of the Nacionalista Party, Benigno C. Aquino III of the Liberal Party and former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.

He added it appears President Arroyo's playing safe because text messages like these "create confusion."

For his part, Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said politicians and the electorate should read the latest CBCP pastoral statement "A Call to Vigilance and Involvement" for a better understanding of the politicians and voters' respective roles. (Melo M. Acuña)