Bishop: Reject Overspending Candidates

MANILA, Feb. 23, 2010- Another Catholic bishop warned voters against candidates who spend so much on their campaign ads to ensure victory in the elections.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said the voters should turn down candidates who are guilty of overspending instead of using their money to help the less privileged.

"We should not vote for these candidates because it's a sign that they are not worthy of the people's trust," Iñiguez said.

The bishop, who chairs the Committee on Public Affairs, also chided the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for not doing something about it.

"It's sad because there's law on this and yet it's not strictly implemented," he added.

Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi earlier said that one of the culprits in the misapplication of the democratic exercise is the penchant for electoral overspending.

To avert the dread vicious cycle of campaign overspending, Baylon called on the people to stop and arrest the foul tradition.

"The voters must not be influenced by political ads and support candidates according to their platforms of government," Baylon urged. (CBCPNews)