Eye Opener
People should choose upright candidates
The May 2007 elections of local and senatorial candidates are critical not only to the nation but also to millions of Filipinos here and abroad. Thinking that the Philippines has been tagged by PERC's recent survey as the No.1 corrupt nation in Asia, Filipinos irrespective of religious beliefs and political affiliations must stand together and redeem their beloved country's ignoble name.
El Shaddai has come out with the selection of senatorial candidates who are honest, God-fearing and have integrity, and morality. The CBCP has also urged Roman Catholic parishioners to actively participate in choosing honest and competent local and national candidates. Although there is no solid Catholic vote to reckon with, the influence of parish priests, nuns, bishops and laymen can help elect qualified candidates for public office and help sack corrupt government officials in the government.
The Evangelical and Pentecostal Christian leaders have not yet opened their mouths and tell their members whom to vote this coming polls. Foreign investors shun sinking their money in Philippine businesses because of too much politics and unstable business conditions in the country including the government. If only dishonest and corrupt men are removed through the election of honest politicians, the Philippines would be a happy place to live in.
Are the Filipino voters electing distinguished members of the Senate or merely mediocre candidates whose ambition is just to be elected and could not pass even bills that would solve the current ills of the country? Will our respected Senate be again peopled by men and women who lack intelligence and decorum as these men were chosen by 500-peso bill voters? In the 50s, the Senate hall was occupied by distinguished men like Lorenzo Sumulong, Claro Recto, Lorenzo Tañada, Manuel Roxas, Jose P. Laurel, Quintin Paredes, Jose Diokno, Jovito Salonga and many others.
At present, the Senate has still few honorable men who can equal the integrity of Roxas, Recto, Tañada and Sumulong. If only the religious leaders can talk to their parishioners that only men/women with integrity and outstanding educational qualifications can be chosen during the May 2007 electoral exercise.
The present candidates is the coming senatorial elections are mostly men and women of doubtful integrity although a few have shown respectability during their term in both houses or Congress. Some have shown partiality during the two sessions of Congress where the impeachment proceedings were conducted and voted upon. If we are again seeing those voted to power come the May elections, then the chances of reforming our government through men and women of high integrity will only be limbo! There are many candidates who are highly qualified but are not in the ticket of the Genuine Opposition or the Unity Team and their election will not be ensured due to lack of the "bakya crowd" and the captured group.
It is hoped that the CBCP, El Shaddai, the Iglesia ni Cristo, and the Evangelical-Pentecostal Christians will be one in their desire to clean the government of grafters and corrupt officials. May we ask our pious readers to help us pray to God for guidance in choosing the right and honest people to the Senate and even to the House of Representatives. For the prayer of righteous people availeth much with God.