Ledesma bares criteria in choosing bets for May polls

By Nitz Arancon
Correspondent .

CAGAYAN de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ has shared to voters his criteria in choosing candidates in the mid-term elections this May 13.

Dubbed as “5C,” Ledesma bared the criteria in a forum led by the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro at Lourdes College Auditorium, near City Hall recently.

“We can also try to ask ourselves, are the candidates have the ‘5Cs’ – persons of Conscience, competence, compassion, companion, and commitment,” Ledesma said.

He said the best candidate should have moral integrity, respect for human rights, and follows the law of God.

The criteria are also contained in Ledesma’s Easter message to the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church.

Ledesma said voters should choose candidates who have a good public record and skilled in serving the people.

“Siya ba adunay educational background nga makaingon kita nga siya angay sa serbisyo publiko? Duna ba siyay kakayahan sa panglawas, sa iyang panghunahuna, ug paglihok? Duna ba siyay record of public service ug wala nagsalig sa popularidad niya sa iyang pagpahibalo sa tanan,” Ledesma rhetorically asked in his pastoral letter.

The prelate also pointed out that voters should not choose candidates who belong to a political dynasty.

“They should have a way of helping in the development of the minority in our needs, of those who are marginalized in our society because the public office is also helping those who are the weakest in our society,” said Ledesma.