MANILA, Feb. 15, 2013— Breaking tradition on non-partisanship, a Catholic archbishop has called on the faithful to vote for specific candidates.
Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles asked the people to vote for the three Ang Kapatiran’s senatorial candidates, John Carlos ‘JC’ delos Reyes, Lito David and Atty. Marwil Llasos.
He made the call during the Pro-Life Congress on Batangeño Catholic Vote held right at the archdiocese’s St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary in Lipa City on Friday.
The archbishop said that the political party founded on principles of Catholic social doctrine and principles might provide the trigger for political change.
“Yes (I endorse them) very much because they are the only ones who are committed to promote what is good, true and Godly,” Arguelles said.
“They stand not for self interests but for the total good of all. In short, they are no ‘trapos (traditional politicians),’” he said.
This is not the first time that the archbishop endorsed the Ang Kapatiran bets. In the 2010 presidential elections, Arguelles and some five other bishops openly endorsed delos Reyes who was then the party’s standard-bearer.
Delos Reyes, however, lost to President Benigno Aquino III and placed last among the nine presidential candidates.
All of the eight Ang Kapatiran’s senatorial candidates also lost in the general elections.
Asked about the chances of winning of the three senatorial bets this coming May elections, Arguelles said their fate still lies at the hands of the voters.
“If the people will be convinced to vote for the good of their children and future generations, these good people will win handily,” he said. (CBCPNews)
