NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      MANILA (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila on Sunday warned parties in presidential elections next week not to tamper with or cheat in the polls or they will face nationwide protests.

      The cardinal released a letter to be read at all Philippines' churches on May 10, the day before the election, in which he calls on the people of his country to choose a leader worthy to lead the people into the new millennium. However, he alluded to the probable win of front-runner Joseph Estrada, in whom the cardinal has expressed his dissatisfaction. But the cardinal remained focused on the need for a fair election. "There is nothing that would hurt our people more than that these elections be subverted through massive cheating," he said.

      "The people, working from the streets, the churches, the religious houses, the factories, the farms, the business offices, the banks, the villages, the cities and the mega-cities, must resolutely exercise (their) sovereign power to restore to (themselves) free disposition over public office," he warned. Cardinal Sin has said in recent interviews that he expects Jose de Venecia, the chosen candidate of the current administration, will cheat. The cardinal also warned the military not to become involved in any corruption. "Collusion by the military in any such fraudulent intervention betrays the sacred trust the people place in their military to defend their sovereignty, and not the interests of any ambitious faction," he said.

      Cardinal Sin was one of the leaders of the 1986 People Power peaceful revolt that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos from power when millions of Filipinos rushed to streets at the urging of the cardinal and other leaders.