Catholic Church warns Narco-Politics urges voters discern candidates’ track record

A Catholic leaders and laity called on Misamisnon voters not to be deceived by those candidates who offer money in exchange of their votes for upcoming May 10 elections especially to the allegedly Narco-Politics in the province, instead look on the integrity of candidates and seriously consider their platform of government.

As election campaigns heats up, Ozamiz prysbeterium president and Station Manager of dxDD-AM/FM, Fr. Edgar S. Canama reminded the general public to consider the criteria mentioned by the teaching of the Catholic Church over and over again as the Church vehemently warned against the Narco-Politics.

Meanwhile pastor of Inahan sa Kinabuhi Pangabuan Parish, Fr. Victor Sereno expressed fear that drug money will influence the result of the 2010 elections because there are allegedly drug lords would finance the election campaigns of some political candidates.

“Posible gyod nga drug lords would finance some politician candidates to cater their interest, to have symbiotic relationship, maglungga ang politiko. So that drug lord is in power.” Fr. Sereno said.

He added what will happen to the young? When the young people affected the future of the church will be affected too.

Meanwhile a pro-life doctor, Dr. Rene Bullecer of Human Life International expressed fear that drug money will influence the result of the 2010 elections because there are allegedly drug lords would finance the election campaigns of some political candidates.

He said in an interview over “Punto en Punto” an afternoon segment of Public Affairs Program of Dan-ag sa Dakbayan Catholic-run Radio Station dxDD- AM, that the voters should be conscious of the candidates’ track record, and people should look into the personal uprightness of the candidates, their competence and their position regarding the Reproductive Health Bills.

“Personally I’m no longer afraid of the so called drug money kay di na kaayo dako nga threat excepth diha sa mga localities sama sa city or municipal level, my concern is the socalled RH Money gikan sa mga multi-billion anti-life funding agencies nga mao ang nisuporta, namugos ug nagpaluyo sa daghang mga kadagkoan sa gobierno sama sa mga congressmen, senators ug even mayoralty para modis ug aron magmadaugon ang RH Agenda. Mao ni ang usa ka rason ug ngano nga dili gyud motalab ang atong mga hangyo rally ngadto sa mga pro RH politicians.” Bullecer clarified.
Earlier, the US State Department reported that the Philippines’ drug problem continues to pose a significant national threat.

In its 2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, it said that with the upcoming May 10 elections, there is fear that drug money supporting candidates may affect election results.

Bro. Thata Rosal, CFD, a Catholic commentator of Birada 675, a morning segment of dxDD- AM Public Affairs Program, stressed the voters should identify those candidates who are receiving money from drug traffickers for their campaign in Misamis Occidental and they should look into the personal uprightness of the candidates, their competence and their aspirations, what they plan to achieve for the province and especially in Ozamiz City.

The production department of the dxDD-AM thru its public affairs program is urging the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) who led in the fight against illegal drugs, to arrest the suspected drug traffickers in Ozamiz City and to prosecute drug cases in the province.

In his part, Cathedral Administrator Fr. Marvin O. Osmeña, said that “voters should not be deceived by the money of candidates but they should look into the candidates’ integrity and platform of government.