MANILA — An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs (CBCP-CPA) warned politicians, who have advertisements airing on radio and television that their actions could be considered as “negative points”.
In a radio interview, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the CBCP-CPA noted that these advertisements will not help them in their bids for public office as they are showing the electorate that they are already spending money even as the campaign period has not yet started.
“Dapat sabihin natin sa kanila, mag-isip din sila (publiko), ang mga taong ito na nagpaparamdam na ganoon ay isang negative point na ‘yan na [iboto] natin sila,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.
He is convinced that once elected these politicians are going to get the money they used in coming up with their advertisements allegedly from government coffers.
“Tiyak na kapag naluklok sa puwesto ang mga pulitikong ito, babawiin nila ang malaking halaga ng salapi na kanilang ginastos sa kampanya,” the Manila Auxiliary bishop added.
With this, he urged Filipino voters to choose new breed of government officials and refrain from electing traditional politician (TRAPO) as they have no new things to offer.
“Maghanap tayo ng hindi pangkaraniwang pulitiko, kaya nag-iimbita tayo sa mamamayan na tumakbo hindi ‘yung dati nang tatakbo, mga trapo yan, ginagamait na nila ang pamamarang dati, wala na tayong makukuhang bago sa kanila,” the Catholic prelate said.
Pabillo also urged people, who has the capability to lead their community to run for public office.
“Kaya maging heroic naman ang ibang Filipino na may kakayahan namang tumakbo, hindi sila kilala pero wala sila gaanong pera subalit handa silang tumakbo, para may choice naman ang bayan. Apela sa mga botante, ang iboto natin ay mga bagong mukha na at hindi yung mga datihan na,” he said.
The filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) is set from Oct.
12 to 16.
The campaign period for national positions will begin on Feb. 9 to May 7 while local candidates are allowed to campaign starting from March 25 to May 7.