Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal agrees with Fr. Crispin Mostajo’s call to Catholics to examine their conscience before receiving holy communion. (CDN Photo/ Lito Tecson)
CEBU Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday appealed to all candidates to be honest and realistic when they make campaign promises.
“Candidates promise many things, even including heaven. You will hear them say many things as if they could do everything,” the 85-year-old prelate told Cebu Daily News in an interview at his retirement house located inside the Sto. Niño Village in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.
“I would remind them to be honest and see if they could really do something about the problems of the country,” he added.
He didn’t mention names.
Vidal, the country’s most senior cardinal, said people should choose those who are good administrators.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, for his part, said voters should evaluate whether or not the plans and promises made by a candidate are prudent and achievable.
“There are those candidates for a position in the executive department who are telling us promises that are supposed to be achieved only by lawmakers or by the legislative department,” he told reporters.
Palma said voters should be able to discern who among the candidates would be good for the entire country.
“We have to look at candidates in a bigger context. One may be good in one province, but is he good for the entire country. Or we might also want to consider, will he be good in facing other officials from other countries?” he said.
Palma said bishops and priests will do their share to ensure that the May 9 elections will be “clean, accurate, peaceful and meaningful.”
“If we do not make the best decision for our country, we will suffer in the coming years,” he said.