LOREN HAILS 'MORAL FORCE'

Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday (Sept. 1) hailed the launching of the Moral Force Movement headed by Chief Justice Reynato Puno, expressing hope that it would bring about "not just a moral transformation, but a political and social transformation."

Loren said that the "moral force movement deserves the support of all our people of good wishes and intentions in order to stop the moral, political and social decay now crunching at the very foundations of our country's institutions."

According to Loren, the Moral Force Movement, along with the other non-government, civic and religious organizations dedicated to moral and social reforms, would lead to a "renewal of our nation's collective conscience, slaying the hydra of corruption, social irresponsibility, political chicanery and greed for power that constitutes the social cancer."

Loren said that it was significant that the launching of the movement took place during the celebration of National Heroes Day. "The movement thus invokes the sacrifice, ideals and valor of our heroes from Jose Rizal to Ninoy and Cory Aquino. They will serve as the spiritual inspiration and practical paradigm for the moral movement to achieve essential reforms in our society."

Loren said she agreed with Chief Justice Puno that "the first item of the movement's agenda is to ensure clean, free and orderly elections in 2010, so that our people can choose the best qualified among the presidential candidates who would lead them to the parting of the Red Sea for deliverance against political and social wickedness."

In the movement's launching at the Far Eastern University Monday, the leaders and members of the movement, composed of respected civic leaders, students and members of religious organizations, pledged to repudiate candidates who "bribe, cheat or lie" in the 2010 elections.