Bishop Pedro D. Arigo of Palawan branded as "baseless and unjustifiable" the recall election against Puerto Princesa Mayor Dennis Socrates.The
recall was initiated by the former town mayor, Edward Hagedorn and political aspirant Vicente Sandoval, Jr., with the support of Rep. Abraham B. Mitra (LDP, 2nd district).
In a pastoral
statement read recently during the Mass in all parishes in the diocese, Bishop Arigo said the initiative was "driven by selfish motives, wrong ambition and hunger for power."
"The political
warmongering is worsening the economic crisis confronting the province," the Bishop lamented.
He reminded the faithful of moral guidelines appropriate to the situation.
"First, the use of money and material wealth in politics is an exploitation of the people's poverty and lack of awareness," he said.
"Second, procedures instituted under the law have to be
followed; circumventing them is to defy truth and justice," he said. "Third, we should prevent the return of anarchy, nepotism and padrino system that cause corruption and abuse in government."
"Fourth, media shares the responsibility to uncover, convey, and defend truth," he underscored.
The Palawan Bishop exhorted the people of Puerto Princesa to "be courageous in
confronting misconduct in the government." He appealed to them not to be "like Judas Iscariot who was unable to resist money's fleeting pleasure."
