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Bishop discourages Velarde from running in 2010 polls


MANILA, Philippines - The chance that Mike Velarde would run in the 2010 presidential elections has become slim as a ranking Catholic Church official discouraged the El Shaddai charismatic group leader from dipping his toes in political waters. Lipa, Batangas Archbishop Ramon Arguelles told GMA News that a Catholic figure like Velarde vying for a position in government would be like tossing one’s self in a “snake pit." “Siguro baka sakaling kapag ganito ang pulitika natin, iwasan na muna niya ang snake pit [With the current political situation in the Philippines, maybe he should stay away from the snake pit]," Arguelles said in Unang Balita report Monday. Velarde had indicated earlier he would be convinced to join the presidential race only if the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines would rally behind him. “If the CBCP tells me ‘You are our choice Bro. Mike,’ I’ll tell them ‘Yes, Sir’ because I’m a good follower and loyal soldier of the Church." But early on, the CBCP had expressed its firm position on the separation between the Church and state, reiterating its reluctance in singling out candidates that Roman Catholics should vote for. “As a group, we never endorse (candidates) because it’s a political act," said CBCP president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo in a recent radio interview. Lagdameo admitted that some politicians had begun approaching the Church in an apparent attempt for endorsement. Given that the Philippines – with its 90 million population as of 2008 – is pre-dominantly a Catholic country, candidates wanting to secure a post in government had in the past attempted to secure the Church’s support. Instead of endorsing candidates, the Church stressed it would just educate Christian voters on how to pick a candidate that possesses qualities in line with Catholic teaching. Politicians that have either confirmed or hinted they would be running in the 2010 presidential race are Vice President Noli De Castro, Senators Richard Gordon, Manuel Villar, Loren Legarda, Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV
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