MANILA, Philippines?Don?t believe the hype. Learn from the past.

The president of the influential Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines on Friday told voters not to believe the promises of candidates and to be more discerning in choosing the country?s next leaders.

Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar said voters should be ?vigilant? as politicians had made similar promises in the past and failed to fulfill them.

?We have to be mature as voters. We have to be wise in our choice of candidates,? Odchimar said in an interview posted on the CBCP website.

?If candidates [in the past elections] had the political will to comply with their promises, the Philippines would be in a better position now,? he added.

He also urged voters to participate in the May 10 elections, as this was the best way to bring change in government.

?An election year [gives us] an opportunity to change people in the executive branch as well as the legislative,? Odchimar said.

The Tandag prelate was not the only CBCP official urging voters to choose their candidates wisely.

Last week, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales warned the public against candidates with flashy and expensive political propaganda. He said voters should consider the candidates? anti-corruption and anti-poverty agenda.

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

The CBCP, as a collegial body, should not endorse any candidate for any post in the coming elections.

Odchimar himself reminded the priests in his jurisdiction to refrain from backing politicians.