MANILA, Philippines -- Morality, patriotism and competence are the top qualifications the Catholic Church is looking for in the country?s next leaders as it plunges into the election season early next year, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said.

?The standards remain the same,? Iniguez said in a telephone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday afternoon.

?Uprightness, he should be morally upright; love of country, he must truly love the country; and competence, he must know what he?s doing,? Iniguez said when asked what standards the candidates should meet to be considered by the Catholic faithful.

Iniquez expressed doubt that the Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines would release a new set of criteria that would guide Catholics in 2010.

More than 45 million voters are expected to vote for the country?s next President, vice president, senators and local officials on May 10, 2010.

?It?s likely that the CBCP would just repeat its statement. We have already issued one,? Iniguez said referring to the CBCP pastoral statement titled Nation-building Through Elections released in April 21, 2004 less than a month before the elections.

The CBCP, led by its president then Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, reminded the voters to discern and choose their candidates based on competence, conscience and commitment to address key issues such as family and life, the environment among others.

?First, is the candidate a person of competence, i.e. in terms of leadership experience, professional qualifications, and record of governance? Second, is the candidate a person of conscience, i.e. with personal integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights?? the CBCP said in its pastoral statement in 2004.

?And third, is the candidate a person of commitment to a vision and program of action on key issues such as family and life, environment, illegal drugs and gambling, justice, peace and order, poverty alleviation, education, etc.?? it added.