Filtered By: Topstories
News

‘Moral force’ member invites other groups to join crusade


MANILA, Philippines - A member of Chief Justice Reynato Puno's "moral force" movement has invited "like-minded groups" to take part in reviving Filipinos’ sense of morality. Former ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa said they hope to create a “snowballing effect" to restore morality by creating a conscience for Filipinos. “[Open ito to] any like-minded group, ang layunin [ay] magkaroon tayo ng snowball effect para itulak ang kilusan to restore the morality [This movement is open to any like-minded group. Our objective is to create a snowballing effect to restore the morality of Filipinos]," she said in an interview on dwIZ radio. She also hinted the movement would soon draw up a list of standards to follow in selecting the nation’s next leaders in 2010. She however did not give a timetable but said the standards would apply to candidates for all positions, from president down to councilor. “Evolving kami [We are still evolving]," she said when asked when the core group would come out with its standards. De Villa heads the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel). On the other hand, De Villa admitted being nervous as a member of the core group, citing the responsibilities it carries. “Nakakataba ng puso pero ninenerbyos ako sa responsibilidad [I am honored to be named as part of the core group but I am nervous because of the responsibilities]," she said. Yet she said the core group must work hard because Filipinos’ morals have reached a dangerous low. “Ang baba-baba ng tingin sa atin. Number one tayo sa katiwalian, sa corruption, parang ito na ang kultura natin. Ang nangyayari nga ang dapat ma-recognize natin agad na krimen na di dapat gawin, ngayon ngayon accepted na. Yan ang binubuhay ng moral force, magkaroon ng visible and consistent and credible movement, konsensiya ng Pilipino," she said. [Other people now look down on us Filipinos. We are number one in terms of corruption. This has become our culture. We have learned to accept wrongdoing. The moral force aims to become a consistent and credible conscience of Filipinos.] On Tuesday, Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez announced the eight members who would constitute the “moral force movement" initiated by Puno. Aside from De Villa, also named to the core group were: * Andres Juan Bautista, dean of the Far Eastern University’s Institute of Law; * Retired Brig. Gen. Jaime Echeverria, president and chairman of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers; * Dr. Milwida Guevara, one of the leaders of the Movement for Good Governance; * Emerito Nacpil, retired bishop of the United Methodist Church of the Philippines from 1980-2000; * Marixi Prieto, chairwoman of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; * Noorain Sabdula, named one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in 2008 for her active participation in Gawad Kalinga; and * Msgr. Gerardo Santos, National Capital Region director and president of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT