More than 50 priests in Bukidnon support Leni-Kiko tandem (Sabong News)
Author
Leslie Ann Aquino
Date
APRIL 18 2022
More than 50 priests from the Diocese of Malaybalay in Bukidnon have expressed their support for presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and her tandem Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
In a statement dated April 17, the priests said they support the candidacies of the two as they believe that they “best exemplify the criteria for good leaders who will accompany the people towards a sustainable future for our country.”
The clergy said in choosing candidates they were guided by the following qualities:
•God-fearing and morally upright, uphold and defend the human dignity and the right-to-life of helpless victims; candidates who are against extrajudicial killings and all forms of violence;
•Value honesty, pursue the way of truth, show integrity in their personal lives, and demonstrate determination toward transparency and accountability in public service; candidates who are not convicted of a crime, not accused of amassing ill-gotten wealth, not involved in graft and corruption and not using historical denialism to deceive the people; •Promote the Common Good, care for our Common Home, preserve the natural resources from unsustainable exploitation, defend our territorial integrity, protect the welfare of our indigenous peoples, and respond with urgency to the threats of climate emergency; and •Have good track records in empowering the poor and offer clear platforms for their employment, education, health, housing, sustenance; candidates who do not belong to political dynasties and are not practicing patronage politics.
“After careful discernment of the candidates presenting themselves for election as President and Vice President on May 9, 2022, we, the undersigned members of the clergy of the Diocese of Malaybalay, are moved to publicly support the candidacies of VP Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan,” the priests said.
“In sharing the product of our political discernment, we re-echo the call of our bishops to the faithful: ‘Listen to your conscience. Be the ones to decide. We trust in your capacity to discern what is true and good.'” they added.
Retired Bishops Jose Manguiran and Honesto Pacana were among the signatories.
