Roco: RP needs renewal as a nation

The time for the nation’s renewal comes on May 10.

Fresh from a spiritual retreat, presidential hopeful Raul Roco said yesterday the country is given a chance for renewal through the upcoming national elections.

Roco, who sought spiritual refuge in his wife’s home province of Bohol during the Holy Week, reminded Filipinos that the true meaning of Easter or Resurrection Sunday lies in being given a second chance to mend old ways, such as not voting wisely.

"Renewal is the object of redemption. Unless your spirit has a re-awakening during the Lenten week, you cannot truly appreciate Easter Sunday," Roco said in his Easter message.

"We need renewal as a nation and we are grateful that God has given all of us another chance to change our ways this coming election."

Roco reminded the electorate not to waste the "great opportunity" of choosing the right leaders to rebuild the nation.

"We are thankful to the Lord for this opportunity to show that we have matured as a people, able to choose leaders who can lead us into a new dawn," he said. Drawing parallels with the Filipino people, Roco said: "In a sense, the Filipinos need to retreat and introspect."

Roco, who vows a credible and honest leadership if elected, has scored President Arroyo for the increasing perception of corruption on the Philippines in the three years that she has been in power.