Catholic groups support Robredo | The Manila Times

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(UPDATE) CATHOLIC secular organizations expressed support for Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s candidacy for President.

In a statement, the Archdiocesan Lay Council of Lipa said it had reached the decision to approve Vice President Robredo’s candidacy after a “process of discernment through a series of meetings, dialogues and consultations”.

“We believe a good leader should be truthful, honest, fair and be able to serve the people before their personal desires,” the council said noting that Robredo “embodies these characteristics as can be seen in his many programs and projects. for marginalized communities and young people.”

The group stressed that secular participation in politics is not limited to non-partisan involvement.

“Christians are also encouraged to engage in principled partisanship, which means they can campaign for good candidates as part of exercising their Christian faith,” they said, quoting the pastoral letter from the Philippine Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBCP) titled “The Truth Shall Set You Free.”

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Laiko ng Apostoliko Bikaryato ng Calapan (Calapan Lay Council) in Eastern Mindoro also endorsed Robredo and his running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

They said the decision also supports the earlier statement by the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Laity Council of the Philippines) supporting the tandem’s candidacy.

“After extensive discussions, prayers and meditations by the lay servants of about 40 parishes, chaplaincies and mission areas, we have reached an agreement in favor of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas,” said the group’s president, Alquin. Rayos, in a press release.

The council expressed their belief that Robredo and Pangilinan “can improve our current situation” amid “the lies, thefts, murders, corruption and distortion of history are rampant”, and thereby “reclaim our dignity as an independent nation.

At the same time, the group said it welcomes lay people from all communities under the jurisdiction of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan, to actively engage in the May 9 elections.

“However, our appreciation of personal freedom and each individual’s right to choose will remain in the upcoming elections,” Rayos added.

The Lay Council of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay in Palawan also expressed support for Robredo and Pangilinan.

They said the vice president and her running mate “reflect the values ​​and aspirations, dreams and hopes of the people we want to serve.”

“The type of leaders we elect reflects the type of person we are,” the board said.

The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas announced their endorsement of Robredo’s candidacy last month.

In a majority decision, 11 of 15 council officials agreed to endorse Robredo after evaluating the backgrounds and platforms of each presidential candidate. Three of the council leaders voted to abstain and one was absent during the vote. An official also agreed to back Robredo, but with reservations because of his stance on same-sex union and the decriminalization of abortion.

“With our current political-economic turmoil and the pandemic situation in the Philippines, we firmly believe that Vice President Leni Robredo, a God-fearing person, is the most capable candidate for President, and we urge our voters, if possible, to consider the same,” they said in a statement.

The CBCP called the move “unprecedented.”

Other secular organizations such as Couples for Christ and “Pari Madre Misyonero Para Kay Leni” have already supported Robredo’s candidacy.

Leody: The revision of the minimum wage is not enough

Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) flag bearer Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman hailed the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) order to expedite minimum wage review in all regions of the country, but said that this decision is not enough.

De Guzman, quoting Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3e, said the current P537 minimum wage in the National Capital Region, which is the highest in the country, is very low.

“It is a concrete fact that no further in-depth study is needed,” he said.

“Following the examination, [Bello] should immediately order all government representatives on regional tripartite wage councils to push for a substantial increase [in minimum wage] for all regions of the archipelago,” added the union leader.

Bello announced earlier that he had tasked the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) to review minimum wages across the country to help workers and their families cope with the looming oil crisis as part of of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Labor Party leader said soaring petroleum product prices caused by the ongoing dispute between Russia and Ukraine could be a compelling reason for wage boards to recommend adjustments to workers’ minimum wages. He expressed confidence that the RTWPBs will submit their recommendations before the end of April.

De Guzman said the minimum wage review should be completed immediately because with every passing day spent on the review instead of immediately implementing wage increases, the financial support workers provide to their families continues to dwindle.

Bukluran Chairman ng Manggagawang Pilipino pointed out that petitions for a minimum wage increase of P750 have already been filed in NCR, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Western Visayas. . The basis for these wage petitions filed by the unions is the current low wages relative to the poverty line, the consumer price index and labor productivity, he said.

“Sobrang tagal nang napako ang minimum na sweldo. May umaabot na sa dalawang hanggang apat na taon. minimum wage nasa panig ng katuwiran (The current minimum wage has been around for so long. Some parts of the country have had it for two to four years. The last wage ordinances were in 2020. Some issued ordinances in 2018 and 2019. The P750 national minimum wage requirement is on the side of justice),” de Guzman said.

He said he understands Bello wants to “appear objective and balanced” when he added the question of whether employers will be able to afford a substantial wage increase after admitting that the current minimum wage may no longer keep up with the commodity prices, such as food, electricity and water bills.

“Mas mainam sanang hayaang magsalita ang mga employer para ses kanilang interes. Dapat kakampi ng manggagawa ang DoLE sa pagprotesta laban sa famine salary dahil ang ‘living wage’ a nakasaad mismo sa ating Saligang Batas (it would be better to let employers speak for their own interests. The DoLE must side with the workers in protesting the starvation wage because the ‘living wage’ is stipulated in our Constitution itself),” de Guzman said.

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