Philippines: JIL endorsement a big boost to Koko Pimentel
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MANILA, Philippines — The senatorial candidacy of Genuine Opposition bet Aquilino Pimentel III received another big push when he was endorsed by the Jesus is the Lord (JIL) evangelical group.
The JIL, the biggest congregation within the Philippines Jesus Movement, recommended Pimentel and five other GO senatorial contenders to its estimated five million members of voting age, after determining that they possess the attributes of competent leadership and live up to the moral standards that the group expect from those seeking public office.
The other GO candidates who got the nod of the JIL, led by Bro. Eddie Villanueva, are Manuel Villar, Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero and Panfilo Lacson.
In exchange for the endorsement, Pimentel said they signed a covenant in which they pledged their commitment to pursue reforms that will bring about good governance, stamp out corruption and inefficiency and strengthen the moral fiber of the people.
Pimentel said one of the specific commitments spelled out in their covenant with the JIL is to support the crusade against gambling in any form because of its corrosive effects on the moral foundation of the nation.
He said they also vowed to oppose the administration’s plan to establish a gambling mecca on a vast portion of reclaimed lands along Roxas Boulevard which is equated with having a “sin city in the country.”
“This specific commitment is consistent with my personal stand against jueteng and other forms of gambling including legalized casinos that are managed by the government,” the young Pimentel said.
Pimentel said the JIL leaders wanted to make sure what was the stand of senatorial candidates on diverse issues.
He said he explained to them his plan to defeat poverty which consists of four guideposts: 1. observe the rule of law; 2. empower the youth; 3. enhance local autonomy, and 4. support and follow Gawad Kalinga.
A lawyer who majored in mathematics in college, Pimentel said he called this formula as “The Square Root of Development” because it calls for four elements that are of equal value.
“A culture of respect for the rule of law could be brought about if there is equality before the law; an accessible justice system; competent, efficient and objective administration of justice, a corruption free from justice system; stability of policies and judicial decisions,” he said.
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