Davide calls for a ‘new face of politics’

CEBU CITY — Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. called for no less than a complete overhaul of the face of Philippine politics as he led the launching here last Saturday of a movement geared toward achieving that goal.

"It is an obligation of every citizen to vote for the most suitably qualified candidates. Let us provide our country with a new face of politics. Build a truly genuine and new brand of people," Davide told nearly a thousand people at the Redemptorist Church to launch the Movement for New Filipino Politics spearheaded by Barug Filipino.

Talking about good governance and idealism for the upliftment of the country, Davide said the people must vote with "conscience and heart" in order to work for the best interest of the community and the country.

The Chief Justice, calling on Filipinos to embrace transformation, said, "You cannot see transformation in our country unless you be active participants in the transformation."

Davide said only leaders who can be trusted stand a chance of transforming the country.

"What will happen to our country if the people we elect cannot be trusted and cannot transform our country?" he said.

Davide began his talk by thanking those who supported him when several opposition congressmen launched a move to impeach him for allegedly failing to allocate allowances for judicial personnel from the Judicial Development Fund.

The affair started with a Mass celebrated by Barug Filipino convenor Fr. Carmelo Diola, who said in his homily that voters must be guided by three virtues a good candidate must possess — conscience, competence and commitment.

Diola said voters must do away with those who are "drunk with the lust for power."

Despite the non-partisan nature of the event, presidential daughter Luli Arroyo and Gwendolyn Garcia, who is running for governor, were around. — Freeman News Service