CBCP to assess Midterm Election

Manila, July 5, 2007 - The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines will discuss the recent midterm elections as they start the bi-annual plenary assembly this weekend at Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

CBCP President Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo said they expect to listen from representatives of the church-backed Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Secretariat of Social Action, Justice and Peace-NAMFREL and Lente.

“We have already received PPCRV’s report,” he added. Asked about his personal assessment of the recent political exercise, Lagdameo said “there’s very little difference if one is to consider vote-buying, vote-shaving this time with the previous elections.”

“It’s systemic, even cultural,” Archbishop Lagdameo commented about electoral fraud. (Melo M. Acuña)