MANILA, Philippines - A ranking official of the Catholic Church on Monday said voters should elect those who opposed the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health Act.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said in a radio interview that a politicians' stance in the RH law issue is one of the criteria in the guidelines that he will be coming up with before the end of the month for his diocese.
Bastes said coming up with the guidelines will help people discern for themselves who to vote for during the May 13 elections.
The bishop noted that candidates must respect life, especially those of the unborn, and people should not put in public service candidates who favor the RH law.
He said the people should also not vote for candidates who are members of a political dynasties.
Candidates who have the necessary skills, experience and sincerity to help uplift the plight of the poor should be elected into office, the bishop said.
For his part, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles called on the people of the province of Batangas to be "pro-life", rejecting candidates who supported the RH law.
"Beside prayers, I ask from all priests,all faithful and all Batanguenos. Let us declare opposition to RH law.Let paint Batangas red. Batangas is pro-life,pro-family,pro-country at pro-God," the prelate said.