TG Guingona III warns Filipinos against so-called "pro-poor" candidates

Congressman Teofisto “TG” Guingona III exhorted the voting populace to be wary of candidates who pass themselves off as being from the ranks of the poor or being pro-poor, and making idyllic promises of a better life for all.

The solon from Bukidnon issued the call in response to the New Year's message of Tandag Bishop and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Nereo Odchimar urging voters to choose only the “reliable leaders” and not to be swayed by the usual campaign favors and dole-outs.

“In the next few months leading to the elections in May, the Filipino public will be bombarded with messages from national and local candidates through all available media. These messages will be full of promises of a better life for all, housing for every family and food on every table. We have heard and seen them all before, and they turn out be nothing but mere slogans. It is time we learned our lesson and look beyond the rhetorics of well-crafted political advertisements,” Guingona stated.

Guingona also echoed the call of the CBCP urging the Filipino people to pray for a clean and honest elections on May 2010 and imploring voters to exercise their right of suffrage wisely in the presidential and national elections.


The solon, however, admitted that the current political system prey upon the poor and exploit them for political gain. The sheer number of those living in poverty makes them ideal vehicles for serving the interests of the unscrupulous and the corrupt.

"The poor are always exploited for the number of votes they can deliver in exchange for a measly sum and a mouthful of promises. It demeans the democratic processes of our country when the rich and powerful dupe the poor and the marginalized just to perpetuate themselves in power. The poor should not be used but rather helped. Feeding them empty promises only adds to their suffering and perpetuates cynicism and apathy. Only the good can serve the poor faithfully,” Guingona noted.

He urged all Filipinos, rich and poor alike, to change the current political system, and be part of the restoration of true democracy.

“The coming 2010 elections is a chance for Filipinos to be part of history and elect reliable leaders who would guide our nation in the coming years with wisdom, justice, moral ascendancy and spiritual fortitude. These are the leaders we need. It is time to weed out the corrupt and the greedy,” Guingona said.