By Christina Hermoso
As the May election nears, a Catholic Church leader reminded the faithful of an important characteristic that a voter must look for in a candidate – honesty.
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga
(CBCP / NICO BALBEDINA / MANILA BULLETIN)
Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos stressed that while there are other factors to consider such as track record, leadership abilities, and background, “honesty in government is a most important factor in deciding who to vote.”
“Honesty and integrity are the hallmarks of good governance and leadership. A good political candidate must be honest in words and deeds,” Santos said in his homily during the recent celebration of National Migrants Sunday.
The Church leader, likewise, reminded overseas Filipino workers “to vote for candidates who are honest, hardworking, helpful, and reliable. Choose candidates who are not tainted with graft and corruption,” said the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People.
“Vote for those who you think will not take advantage of your remittances. Choose those who will defend and safeguard your rights,” Santos said.
The bishop said, a good political choice only has the common good in mind and not his personal interests. “He must be God-fearing, honest, respectable, and sincere as a public servant.”