MANILA, Philippines?Be wary of moneyed candidates.

This was the advice of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and several other bishops in a pastoral letter to the Catholic faithful who are contemplating their choices for the May 10 elections.

Rosales, who issued the letter jointly with the other prelates, said voters should scrutinize candidates for national and local positions based on their anti-poverty and anti-corruption agenda.

The best candidates, Rosales said, are true friends of the poor, who are ?simple and humble.?

?In choosing leaders, the electorate should carefully study and match the traits of candidate with the needs and issues disabling the country today,? the letter said.

The pastoral letter was signed by other bishops belonging to the Ecclesiastical Province of Metro Manila. They included Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, Imus Bishop Luis Tagle, Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado, Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego, San Pablo Bishop Leo Drona, Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo, Taytay Bishop Edgardo Juanich, Military Ordinary Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak, Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francisco De Leon and Auxiliary Bishops of Manila Bernardino Cortez and Broderick Pabillo.

It will be read in all parishes and churches of the Archdiocese of Manila and Dioceses that make up Ecclesiastical Province of Metropolitan Manila on Sunday, March 14, the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

?Two major and perennial issues haunting the country are poverty and government graft and corruption, with such destructive mutuality, that as corruption increases, poverty worsens,? the letter said.

Just because some candidates are popular and flood the media with advertisements does not mean that they are capable to govern the country, it went on.

?Excessive campaign expenses in the past did not augur good and responsive governance,? the letter added.

Poll watchdogs have raised an alarm on the spending habits of some candidates for national posts, saying they could have breached the legal limit.

Pera't Pulitika, a consortium of organizations that keep watch on campaign spending, said Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar and Liberal Party vice-presidential candidate Sen. Mar Roxas started their campaign in the media even before the official start of the campaign period.

Voters should see to it that the candidates they choose are God-fearing, moral, without vices, and respectful of life, the pastoral letter said.

Candidates with real concern for the environment and the poor and those that carry good examples for responsible Filipino citizenship also deserve support, the letter said.

It also called on the faithful to pray for successful and peaceful elections.

?Needless to say, like the entire country, we should all pray for a peaceful election and a unified people before, during, and after the election,? the pastoral letter said.