SC's Puno to launch Moral Force Movement Monday

After almost a five-month delay, Chief Justice Reynato Puno will formally launch on Monday his "Moral Force Movement," which aims to usher in “the moral transformation" of the country. The movement was supposed to be launched before Holy Week, but was shelved due to the non-completion of the members of the advisory council. The launching will coincide with the celebration of National Heroes’ Day. Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said the movement would be non-partisan and would not endorse any particular candidate in next year’s elections. “The chief justice is expected to urge everyone to vote for transformational leaders in the 2010 elections, and that moral force would have a better chance at succeeding if the change will start from each one of us," said Marquez. Puno had earlier discouraged politicians from joining the movement, saying they would only muddle the issues concerning moral values, rampant graft and corruption, poverty alleviation and clean and honest elections. Marquez said the launching of the Moral Force Movement would signal the country’s campaign against moral decadence and usher in the return of moral values by upholding, promoting, celebrating, and reinforcing the good and the right in society. The launching will be hosted by the Movement for Good Governance (MGG), whose members come from the academe, the religious sector, media, business industry, and good governance advocates. In their invitation, MGG Interim Chair Dr. Milwida Guevarra and Incoming Chair Solita C. Monsod said that the program launching would be simple and anchored on the theme “Honor." “The launch will usher programs that we will collectively do to strengthen our faith in democracy, advocate the need for transformational leaders, and encourage our citizens to work together," said Guevarra. The launching will take place at the auditorium of the Far Eastern University in Morayta, Manila, to be attended by “defenders of democracy." - GMANews.TV