HOW WILL BISHOP BACTOL FACE GERRY ESPINA WITH THIS FROM THE CBCP

Catholic bishops have expressed alarm over the continuing dominance
of political dynasties in the country as they vowed to address
this "growing problem" down to the local level.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) vice
president and Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said they
will campaign against political dynasties as part of a drive to
ensure credible and violence-free elections in May.

But Ledesma said the Church cannot directly act on the issue by
dictating to voters since "there is no such thing as a Catholic
vote."

"Bishops have observed in their own localities that only people from
the same family are getting into public office," Ledesma told
reporters. "One way to address this is the formation of concerned
citizens movements that can effectively address this issue at the
local level."

He also said the bishops lamented that voters choose candidates
based on family background or popularity rather than competence and
integrity.

Despite this, he said the Church maintains its belief that
credibility and goodness alone can put a candidate in public office —
even if the candidate comes without a family background in
politics.

He cited the example set by Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, "who did not
have any relative in public office when she ran for governor — she
made it because of support of the people and the media without any
strings attached."

The CBCP on Sunday said it would not, as a body, endorse any
candidate in the upcoming elections, saying candidates "were not
discussed" during the semiannual plenary assembly of bishops over
the weekend in Manila.

But CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, of Jaro in Iloilo,
admitted that bishops are given the freedom to individually endorse
candidates.

"I heard about some dioceses that support candidates who are pro-
life, anti-gambling or pro-poor," Lagdameo said.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, for instance, earlier urged
the faithful not to vote politicians who are involved in jueteng
operations.

Cruz, an anti-gambling advocate, said the People's Crusade Against
Gambling is set to conduct a survey in various areas in Luzon and
Visayas and will issue a manifesto of support for candidates who are
found to be against jueteng or gambling.

"We are going to support them, since we believe that, if they are
anti-gambling, there is a presumption of honesty and integrity of
life," Cruz said. "Integrity is what we need so much (of) in the
political community."

Cruz, however, said they would not identify candidates who are
supposedly supporting jueteng: "We want to be fair to them and we
might also commit mistakes during the survey."

Caloocan Bishop Deogracia Iniguez Jr., on the other hand, has hinted
his opposition against the election of celebrities in the May polls.

In an interview with reporters, Iniguez said most bishops are now
cautious about electing celebrities after the poor performance of
some popular showbiz and TV personalities who won in earlier
elections.

"At present, we feel that people still tend to elect celebrities.
Honestly, we were disappointed with them, so we think it should
serve as a challenging lesson," Iniguez said.

He said popularity as the main standard during elections is causing
enough alarm among the bishops to warrant the CBCP's decision to
push its voter education program.

"It's just right that we're alarmed over this, because voters really
(put a) premium (on) name recall — they go for celebrities. If only
these celebrities seeking public office were equipped with the
proper qualifications and capacity to perform their duties, then we
won't have a problem," Iniguez said.

He also said it is necessary for voters to know their candidates —
specifically their qualifications and platforms.

He also advised the electorate to consider the programs presented by
the candidates on poverty, economy, political situation, graft and
corruption and political dynasties.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the
Church's elections watchdog composed of lay leaders, has already
released its guidelines for voters dubbed the "10 Commandments for
Responsible Voting."

Based on the standards set by the PPCRV, it is wrong to vote for
candidates who "use guns, goons and gold; have records of graft and
corruption; or live (an) immoral life."

The guidelines were included in a manual that will be used in a
massive education campaign to issue moral guidance and equip voters
for the May elections.

PPCRV chairman Henrietta de Villa said the "commandments" will be
used by priests and nuns, lay leaders and volunteers in facilitating
the formation program for electoral education.

The PPCRV also supported Iniguez's stand and encouraged voters "not
to be blinded by popularity of celebrities or by mere competence in
speaking of politicians who are joining the elections in May."