FILE PHOTO: Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Several priests in Batangas and Bukidnon are endorsing the bids of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, for the presidency, and vice presidency, respectively, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Tuesday.
A total of 117 diocesan and religious priests in the Archdiocese of Lipa in Batangas, grouped themselves as the “Paring Batangas para kay Leni” (Parable) and expressed support for the candidacies of Pangilinan and Robredo, saying that as priests, they “cannot allow evil to reign” in the country.
“We will also continue to lead and guide the people in praying for a peaceful, credible and meaningful election,” Parable added in its statement.
In Bukidnon, 54 priests from the Diocese of Malaybalay, along with Jesuit Bishop Emeritus Honest Pacana of Malaybalay and Bishop Emeritus Jose Manguiran of Dipolog, also expressed their support for the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem.
“We believe that they best exemplify the criteria for good leaders who will accompany the people towards a sustainable future for our country,” they said in a separate statement.
A growing number of church people including several lay organizations are now openly supporting the candidacies of Robredo and Pangilinan.
It can be recalled that several religious organizations endorsed the candidacy of Robredo. Among these are the leadership of the Council of the Laity of the Philippines, the Couples for Christ international Council and the more than 500 members of the “Pari Madre Misyonero Para Kay Leni.”