Bro. Eddie tells HK flock: No crooks on slate

by Dona Pazzibugan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100223-254829/Bro-Eddie-tells-HK-flock-No-crooks-on-slate

MANILA, Philippines—Evangelist and presidential candidate Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva brought his campaign over the weekend to Hong Kong, where the religious congregation he leads has a sizable following.

Villanueva on Saturday presented his running mate, former securities chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr., and the seven senatorial candidates of his Bangon Pilipinas party to members of the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church-Hong Kong chapter, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary.

“No one among these people has a record of corruption. It is because I will not allow anyone who has abused power or stolen from public funds to join me in Bangon Pilipinas,” a party statement issued Sunday quoted Villanueva as telling the JIL “Saturday group.”
A Bangon Pilipinas statement said the JIL-Hong Kong chapter’s “Saturday group” is composed of about 2,000 overseas Filipino workers whose days off are on a Saturday. JIL also has a “Sunday group” with over 8,000 members, it said.

Villanueva introduced his senatorial slate: Zafrullah Alonto, lawyers Reynaldo Princesa, and Ramoncito Ocampo, broadcast journalists Kata Inocencio and Alex Tinsay, Count Habib Adz Nikabulin, and Israel Virgines. The party has coined for the slate the acronym “APOINT V,” from the first letters of their surnames.

In his speech, Villanueva promised his supporters “zero corruption” if he and his team win the May 10 polls.

“We need a new breed of leaders who have genuine compassion for the Filipino people,” Villanueva said.

“Without compassion for our people, government leaders will just continue to neglect even the most basic needs of our people for food and shelter. Without jobs at home, these basic necessities are always threatened,” he added.