A small church-based political party which is fielding presidential and other national candidates in the May elections has turned to the Internet to solicit badly-needed funds.

In what could be a first in the country, Ang Kapatiran has opened a page on its website (www.angkapatiranparty.com) to solicit contributions in pesos and US dollars through credit cards.

The donor will be directed to an Internet payment page maintained by the Asia Pacific E-Serve Corp.

?We?ll need resources to move our propaganda,? the message on the payment page (http://www.aspaconline.com/kapatiran/) said, detailing how the credit payment would be billed.

A check of the websites of the major political parties, as well as of their presidential candidates, showed no features for straight-to-party donations. Most, however, listed phone numbers, e-mails and addresses of party chapters and headquarters that contributors could contact.

Ang Kapatiran is fielding Olongapo City councilor John Carlo de los Reyes as its presidential candidate.

?It?s a misperception that Ang Kapatiran is rich in campaign funds because of our connections with Church groups,? De los Reyes told the Inquirer in an interview.