The country's future leader should not use his or her power for personal interests, Fr. Robert Reyes, said on Wednesday, April 13.
Reyes made the statement during a prayer rally in Intramuros in front of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila. Twenty-six days before the May 9 election, the running priest, Reyes, together with Fr. Flavi Villanueva, SVD, and Msgr. Mel David of Paranaque held an eight-hour vigil and fasting in front of the Comelec.
"Ang linaw linaw, isang matino na kandidato. Isang kandidato na ang gusto good governance. Hindi self governance (It's very clear, a decent candidate. A candidate who wants good governance. Not self-governance)," he said.
"Dapat ay hindi marunong mandaya, at gamitin ang batas para sa kanyang personal na interes (A candidate who doesn't know how to cheat, and utilizes the law for his or her personal interest)," he added.
He explained that good governance, should be characterized by the leader in the sense that he or she will think about the welfare of the people. He added that he has been urging the candidates since according to him, a lot of them are just for themselves.
The vigil was part of the priests' commitment to demand that Comelec uphold fair and honest elections until the counting of the votes. The movement started last March 2, asking the Comelec not to burn people's votes.
"Maghanap kayo ng kandidato na tunay na para sa taumbayan, at hindi iniisip na pagpasok ko dito I’ll become a dynasty, na ikaw (Look for a candidate that's for the people, who's not thinking that when they win, they will become a dynasty that) you’re willing to make laws against your personal interests," he said.
Last March 30, Reyes, together with Urban Poor Associates, held a prayer rally asking Filipinos to be vigilant and asked Mother Mary's intercession to join and help them watch over and defend the dignity of the upcoming election.