Church won't endorse presidential bet: CBCP

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Catholic Church will not endorse any presidential candidate in next year’s polls and will keep its neutrality in the political exercise.

Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena, a senior member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines bared this amid reports that Mike Velarde, spiritual leader of the Catholic-affiliated charismatic group El Shaddai, has expressed interest to run for president in 2010, and was reportedly wooing some influential Catholic clerics to endorse his candidacy.

“Definitely, we will not endorse any candidate, not even for president, during next year’s elections,” said Villena. “We will just enlighten people on the stand of the Church regarding the morals of elected officials so that they could choose the best leaders they deserve.”

Villena, also former co-chairman of the influential Bishops-Businessmen Conference, said the Church never officially endorsed any political candidate or group.

Manwhile, despite the President’s lower ratings in recent surveys and the numerous controversies besetting her administration, the Church remains behind Mrs. Arroyo, Villena said. “We see no reason for the Church to abandon the President at this time. She is doing her best and we are with her until her term expires.”

Emeritus bishop of Novaliches Teodoro Bacani also said last week he too would have second thoughts about endorsing Velarde’s candidacy.

Bacani, who is also the spiritual leader of the El Shaddai, is a known close friend of Velarde.

In an interview over the Church-run Radio Veritas, Bacani clarified while he believes in Velarde’s capability as a leader, he also believes that being a preacher is his true calling.

He said El Shaddai members would be divided on Velarde’s decision to enter politics. “They would prefer it if he would just lead the El Shaddai as their religious leader. They do not want him to run as president of the Philippines because they have seen that he has been very effective in his current work.”

Bacani said the spiritual leader of an estimated 12 million members was probably not serious about joining politics.

“Wasn’t Bro. Mike joking when he told the people that if the CBCP would give him (its blessing) there would no longer be any election? I think he was just joking and the people are intrigued,” Bacani said.

During a prayer rally March 14, Velarde also told his flock that once he formally announces his presidential bid, he is certain he would beat other personalities currently topping presidential surveys.

Bacani also echoed Villena’s statements that the Church does not endorse candidates.

He said there was only one time in the country’s history when some bishops openly expressed their support to a candidate.

They backed former President Corazon Aquino when she ran against the late strongman former President Ferdinand Marcos.

“But that was a most extraordinary situation,” he said.

CBCP spokesman Monsignor Pedro Quitorio III said that instead of making endorsements, their organization in 1998 released guidelines or criteria that a candidate should possess. These are competence in leadership, commitment to common good and personal integrity.

When asked if it would be beneficial if someone from the religious sector would run for president, the CBCP official said, “All of the presidential candidates whose names have been printed in the newspapers, in a way, are religious. All of them go to Church but it does not guarantee good governance,” he said. — CL