Catholic Church pegs 10 qualifications of a candidate to vote

By Mar T. Supnad

SANTIAGO, Ilocos Sur- The Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, through the St. James the Greater Parish here, urged the public to vote candidates who could satisfy 10 points to qualify him (candidate) to become a good and effective leader.

In his homily during the fiesta in barangay San Jose, here, Father Marcelo Cantorna of the parish here, urged voters to vote only the candidates who are straight with untainted names and incorruptible to become their leader.

“Remember that the money being offered to you by these candidates were coming in fact from you,” saying the money came from proceeds of the excise tax of tobacco they were planting.

Hundreds of millions of pesos are given yearly to the Virginia-tobacco producing provinces such as Ilocos Sur which produces the biggest bulk of tobacco products.

Fifteen percent from the gross sale of their tobacco products are given back to the farmers based on Republic Act no.7171, a law sponsored by then congressman Luis “Chavit” Singson, now running for governor in this province.

The parish priest’s action came in the wake of reported massive vote-buying by other politicians who wanted to be elected for local positions.

Vote-buying ranges from P500 to P1,500 per vote, it was learned.

But for Redentor Cardenas, a former provincial prosecutor who resigned from his post to run for mayor here, there are still principled voters who cannot be bought.

“I sacrificed my position in answer to the clamor of our people here for a change because what is happening here is that the politics here is now a family business,” said Cardenas referring to his opponents.

Aside from Cardenas, for mayors are former Joselito Miranda, Sr. who posted his son Joselito Junior as his vice mayor running mate and Michael Miranda whose father Josefino Miranda, outgoing mayor shifted to vice mayor in favor of his son (Michael).

The 10 guidelines the Parish Church wanted to be followed by the public in voting a candidate:

The candidate should have a fear with God, has concern and love for the country, has capability to lead and can be a good leader even in his own family.

The candidate should also have integrity, must be industrious, straight, not greedy, honors his promise and does not favor anyone.

The Church here has circulated a two-page paper to the public as guidelines.