CBCP not endorsing politicians in 2013 polls

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma. https://www.cbcponline.net/

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

CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said over Catholic station Radio Veritas that the Church would not be  backing  any election candidates but would provide guidance in choosing  better leaders.

“The Church, we only provide guidelines… we will never name politicians,” said Palma, as he urged the voting public to look at the candidates’ track records and character before casting their ballots.

At the same time, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes criticized politicians appearing in radio and TV endorsements this early to gain media mileage.

“That’s politicking,” Bastes told Radio Veritas. “I hope our lawmakers would pass  legislation barring these politicians from becoming commercial endorsers, especially when election time is near.”

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