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CBCP airs concern over poll automation


Catholic bishops on Sunday called for more vigilance and involvement by Filipinos in the electoral process, saying questions on the reliability and integrity of the May 10 automated elections “have not yet been satisfactorily answered." In a pastoral statement on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) 100th general assembly, the influential body called on the public as well as the election officials to ensure fallback positions in case of glitches in the system. "We must make sure that there are prepared fall back positions that can be quickly adopted when there are some glitches in the system and in the logistics. We have to be vigilant and be involved. One example would be to help in educating voters regarding the Automated Election System and in using the equipment," the CBCP said in the statement. The May 10 elections will be the first nationwide automated polls in the country. Conscience, not survey results It also said voters should let their conscience, and not survey results or “winnability," guide them in their decisions. "Automated elections will not give us good public officials. Ultimately the leaders that our country shall have will depend on our wise choice of candidates. Do not be swayed by survey results or political advertisements. Follow the dictates of your conscience after a prayerful and collective period of discernment," it said. The CBCP had earlier said that presidential survey front runner Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino may lose major votes because of his steadfast support for the controversial Reproductive Health Bill pending at Congress. The Catholic church has been actively campaigning against the proposed measure, which is short for family planning programs that include artificial contraceptives. The call against pro-RH bill candidates has topped the guidelines of Catholic bishops for the 2010 elections. Be honest The CBCP similarly called on candidates to start serving the nation by being honest and sincere in educating the people on the situation of the country in their campaign. “They should not campaign to manipulate the perceptions of the people but to help them to make good choices for the sake of the country. They are to present their platforms and convictions rather than attack others," the statement read. Soldiers and the police should also be extra-vigilant so as to bring about peaceful elections. "They should not allow themselves to be used by politicians or ideological groups. Rather, they should be vigorous in disarming illegally armed elements," it said. The CBCP said transforming the political order is an imperative task today, as it reminded the Catholic laity that it is their right and duty to support candidates that are qualified and have a record of striving for the common good. No violence "Outrageous political violence has awakened us to the reality that if we do not keep watch together as a nation our electoral processes can drag us down. The existence of private armies, the proliferation of loose fire arms, and political dynasties are obstacles to the growth of a genuine democratic system," it said, referring to the Nov. 23 massacre in Maguindanao province where 57 people were killed. The carnage is blamed on the powerful Ampatuan clan. With this, the bishops exhorted Filipinos to form circles of discernment so they can see, judge, and act together on issues of public concern according to moral values. "They should not hesitate to engage in principled partisan politics. We are asked to first articulate the key values and principles by which we can evaluate individual candidates across political parties. This is the kind of politics in which Gospel values form the bases of our choice of candidates and not party or family loyalties," the CBCP said. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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