DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/27 January) — The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Davao West Chapter launched Saturday its “Be honest” advocacy here for the May 2013 mid-term polls.
But Rodolfo Loreña, chapter head said. BCBP, said their advocacy is not just during elections “but in every area of our lives, in profession and business, we will carry the advocacy.” BCBP began its advocacy since 2007, he said.
Loreña said the group will engage in dialogues with candidates in the city to ensure the latter’s honesty during the campaign, particularly by refraining from buying votes and other forms of cheating.
The 45-day election campaign period begins on March 29.
Loreña added that if the candidates win, they should continue being honest by preventing red tape and other forms of corruption in governance.
The group also launched the “mall walk,” where members and supporters wil go to malls, wearing black shirts imrinted with “Be honest” slogan.
The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) 11, which represents 155 national government agencies in Region 11, supported the advocacy.
Engr. Mariano Alquiza, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 and ARENA 11 president, said the advocacy is a concrete manifestation of the BCBP’s vision and mission to be a catalyst for change.
“Honesty in serving the people is tantamount to public trust,” he said.
The campaign, he added, will not only produce competent leaders, but also leaders with “a heart for justice, honest governance and honest service for the betterment of our people.”
The BCBP, ARENA 11, Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 and Mabuhay Taxi signed a memorandum of agreement in support of the campaign.
DOT 11 regional director Arturo Boncato, Jr., said in his message of support that honesty is a key to the tourism industry, which he described as “the most beautiful and biggest industry in the world.”
Boncato said the industry is “the window to our honest hearts.”
Taxi drivers, he noted, are effective in showing the meaning of honesty.
Ryan Tan of Mabuhay Taxi committed to help in the campaign by posting stickers in all its Black and Blue cabs.
Taxi drivers in the city, Boncato said, are celebrated all over the country, adding, “we have a reputation of a taxi drivers returning one peso change or a bag full of money.
With 180 members, Loreña said BCBP Davao West is open for support from politicians such as Davao City councilors and persons of different faiths.
“We also welcome support from candidates but it is not part of our program to campaign for them,” he stressed. (Lorie Ann A. Cascaro/MindaNews)