‘Presidential’ promises and Church’s warnings

FIVE candidates vying for “president” give different messages in their proclamation rallies. Different campaign agendas but same target: ”Malacañang Palace of my dreams!”

*** President Aquino campaigns for administration standard- bearer Mar Roxas and his running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, saying they will continue with and enhance his “Daang Matuwid” anti- corruption and anti- poverty programs.

“Walang papogi, walang drama, walang gimik kundi trabaho lang,” PNoy seriously declares.

*** Roxas and Robredo, for their part, assure the people in Roxas City, Capiz of their integrity and determination to serve well, following Aquino’s platform of government.

PNoy ‘s straight path” plus more, Mar- Leni vows.

*** Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and Sen. Gringo Honasan of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance ( UNA) vow to uplift the poor and abolish income tax for workers earning 30,000 and below, at Welfareville compound in Mandaluyong City.

The welfare of the poor will get priority, “Nognog” assures.

*** Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Du- terte and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano vow to stamp out criminality and raise the living standards of the people.

Action vs criminals plus federalism, vows ” The Punisher” DU30.

*** Presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Chiz Escudero tell supporters at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila, that they will clear Poe’s citizenship issue and work hard for the people.

“We will dream and strive for a better life for our families,” vows FPJ’s daughter.

*** Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., launching their campaign in Batac, Ilocos Norte, vow to zero in on corruption.

“Let us reform the culture of corruption” in government, the Miriam- Bongbong tandem cry in Ilocandia.

*** President Aquino III repeatedly cautions that the country’s progress might be derailed if his “straight path” governance is not continued, claiming the country has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world and that more than 7.7 million Filipinos have also been lifted out of poverty.

PNoy campaigns, too, for his “legacy.”

*** As the campaign season kicks off, Church leaders remind candidates to remain honest and clean in their campaign strategies.

Focus more on the common good and the interest of the people, Church leaders say.

*** “A good candidate must set aside self- interest and clean, honest, meaningful and peaceful elections should be their priority,” says Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines ( CBCP).

Respect all laws and refrain from “vote- buying,” he advises.

*** The Bishop also appeals to voters to “study carefully” the candidates, especially their platform of governance.

“Our freedom to choose must be thoroughly and deeply evaluated,” the prelate stresses.

On the other hand, Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin tells men and women of the Armed Forces to be non- partisan during the May 9 polls.

“Keep away from politics and at all times remain neutral,” the Defense chief orders.

*** The main role of soldiers is to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the police in the holding of the May 9 national and local elections and to “ensure that the right of every Filipino citizen to vote is protected,” he stresses.

No to election campaign violations. Yes to PH- style lively yet peaceful, honest, and credible polls.