Isko Moreno tells candidates: Don’t use Catholic church for campaign rallies

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said Saturday that political candidates should refrain from using facilities of the Catholic church in holding campaign rallies.

In an interview with reporters, Moreno said it is “abnormal” to hold campaign rallies in church buildings and post campaign posters there.

“Sana huwag natin gamitin na rally area ‘yung loob ng simbahan. Katoliko rin po kami, hindi lang po kayo ang may-ari nyan, ‘yan po ay pag-aari ng lahat na kasapi ng simbahang Katoliko,” he said.

(I hope they will not use churches as areas for rallies. We are also Catholics. You don’t own those facilities. Members of the Catholic Church also own those buildings.)

“Ewan ko ang opinyon ng taongbayan na Katoliko na ginagamit ‘yung simbahan as rally area. Hindi ko alam sa kanila but ako sa akin, I am offended as a Catholic. Hindi ko alam kung na-o-offend din ang ibang Katoliko,” he added.

(I don’t know about the opinion of other Catholics on the use of the church as a rally area. I don’t know about them, but for me, I am offended as a Catholic. I don’t know if other Catholics are also offended.)

Moreno did not mention which candidate he was referring to.

In an interview with reporters on Friday, Vice President Leni Robredo rejected the notion that she is using the Catholic Church for her presidential campaign. She said this when asked by the media about criticisms on her decision to drop by churches when she visits a town or province for her campaign sorties.

READ: Robredo spurns idea she’s using religion for campaign: Church just knows what’s at stake in May polls

She said this notion is an insult to the Church, stressing that the institution would not allow itself to be used for partisan activities.

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