CBCP says it won’t endorse senatorial bets

MANILA, Philippines—The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Monday closed its doors on election hopefuls planning to woo its leaders to get its support, saying that it won’t be endorsing politicians for the midterm polls next year.

CBCP President Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said over Church-run Radio Veritas that the Church will not back election candidates and will merely provide voters guidance to choose a better leader.

“The Church, we only provide guidelines… we will never name politicians,” said Palma on Monday.

The prelate also stressed that the people must look at the candidates’ track record and character when casting their ballots.

For his part, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes condemned the political advertisements and commercials featuring politicians as endorsers that were being aired on television and radio this early.

“That should not be, that’s politicking.  I hope our lawmakers would pass a legislation barring these politicians from becoming commercial endorsers especially when the election is near,” Bastes also said over Radio Veritas.

He said these politicians should be disqualified from running in the elections next year.

Echoing Palma’s advice, Bastes also stressed that voters must thoroughly examine the personality of all election hopefuls before making a choice.