BACOLOD CITY?WITH THE ELECTIONS over, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra has called on newly elected officials of this city and Negros Occidental to transcend purely partisan interests and work together as a team.

?Think more of what you can do together to respond to the pressing needs of our people and our society and stop acting like inimical competitors whose only objective is to put down and destroy one another,? Navarra said.

His message was read by Fr. Felix Pasquin at the Bishop-Media Forum on Post Election Evaluation at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on May 28.

Navarra could not make it to the forum as he had to attend the funeral of Fr. Danilo Sitchon who died on May 22.

The bishop said while there were protests over the outcome of the elections, these should be left to the agencies concerned to address.

?I believe what is important is for all of us to move on,? he said.

To the elected officials, Navarra said: ?The honor and distinction of your office brings with it grave and serious responsibilities to address the various issues and needs of the people under your jurisdiction.?

He said it is presupposed that the promises made by the elected officials during their campaigns were the products of serious study of the situation in their areas.

?To realize your plans you have to take into account the common good,? he said. ?It means you have to work together, as a team, because you have been elected, regardless of the party affiliation of each one,? he said.

He also told the media that while their role is to provide checks and balance on the performance of officials, their reporting should ennoble their initiatives and accomplishments.

Exposés and rebuke of officials? abuses and anomalies should also never be below the belt, the bishop said.

?Rather, they should become a challenge and a call to desist from evil, to change course in order to pursue the path of justice and righteousness,? he said.

He also urged journalists to rally citizens to take an active role in providing government officials the most needed partnership in the promotion and protection of human life and the environment and ecology, and in curbing crimes and vices.

Present at the forum organized by journalist Modesto Saonoy were Negros Occidental and Bacolod officials led by Gov. Isidro Zayco, provincial elections supervisor Jessie Suarez, police provincial director Manuel Felix, Dorie Cabilso?chair of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting of the Diocese of Bacolod, and Annie Calderon for the Negros Press Club.