Search for ‘alternative bets’ for 2010 polls begins

MANILA, Philippines - With 2010 just a year away, church, government and civil society leaders have started their selection process for candidates they will support in the 2010 polls. The leaders made the commitment at a conference on corruption at the Communication Foundation for Asia (CFA) last July, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said. "The participants were in concurrence that the 2010 election would be the tipping point. They intend to scan the field and scout for alternative candidates who would be better candidates than the usual 'presidentiables' and 'senatoriables,'" the CBCP said on its website. Also, the participants agreed to bring together efforts at voters' education, which they said was a natural complement of anti-corruption. Especially targeted are young voters, who make up the majority of both the electorate and the national population, the CBCP added. During the CFA gathering, the participants agreed that corruption thrives in the Philippine government because many of its officials ignore or even engage in it. Even if government officials realize the social degradation resulting from corruption, they are reluctant to confront it. Many of them are being elected due to campaign contributions from jueteng lords, drug lords and other unscrupulous patrons, the participants said. On the other hand, they said ordinary citizens partake of this unholy partnership when they sell their votes during elections or when they fail to check if candidates have questionable connections. - GMANews.TV