LP shares concern on excessive campaign spending

CEBU, Philippines - Liberal Party Sen. Kiko Pangilinan yesterday echoed the warning aired by a group of bishops led by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales against excessive campaign spending by presidential candidates.

“We welcome this pastoral letter of the bishops. We share their sentiments on the two major issues of corruption and poverty, which are intimately linked,” Pangilinan said in a statement to The FREEMAN.

In a pastoral letter signed by Cardinal Rosales and eight bishops of the Manila Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Province, they pointed out that “excessive campaign expenses in the past did not augur good and responsive governance.”

“Two major and perennial issues haunting the country are poverty and government graft and corruption. With such destructive mutuality, that as corruption increases, poverty worsens,” the statement reads.

Quoting the party’s slogan, “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” Pangilinan said LP agrees with the bishops because it is on the same principle that LP presidential bet Benigno Aquino has anchored his anti-corruption agenda.

Pangilinan also called on the people to repudiate the Arroyo administration and its allies in the May 10 elections to prevent them from “gaining a foothold in terms of continuing its influence in the next administration.” — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)