Good choice, not automation, will solve election woes: Rosales

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales believes that automation is not the solution to the country's election woes.

In his Christmas Day message, Rosales stressed the importance of making the right choice in selecting the country's next leader.

"The ultimate solution to our election problems does not exactly depend on the automated machines, but in the well thought of, more seriously considered, and much prayed for choice (vote), regardless of money or favor," he said.

"That looks like an ideal so difficult and so nearly impossible to attain in the present Philippine political practice," he added.

He urged Filipinos to exercise their power of choice in next year's national elections. He said with good choice comes peace.

"Peace is also the consequence of a good choice, whether that choice is to have enough to eat or to select a man who will honestly lead others to progress. Peace will come to everyone who does good," Rosales said.

Rosales earlier lamented that even if the May 2010 elections were fully automated, the local political system would remain corrupt if Filipinos continued to vote for traditional politicians.

Rosales said the country needs "honest, selfless and God-fearing leaders."

"Arrogant leaders, who in the past, thought that the nation could not go forward without then, had always been failures; and they had, unfortunately, brought the country down with them."

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/24/09/good-choice-not-automation-will-solve-election-woes-rosales