A Philippine church official expressed hope that candidates in this year's national elections will fulfill promises made during the campaign season.
"I hope this time [the politicians] will not fail the Filipino people who have been aspiring for a better Philippines," said Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the public affairs committee of the bishops' conference.
Father Secillano noted that candidates usually make a lot of promises during the campaign but forget about it when they get elected.
Candidates in the presidential election on May 9 vowed to improve the country's mass transportation system, fight for workers' rights and safeguard the interest of Filipinos working abroad, during the last presidential debate on April 24.
"They've been saying the same things," the priest said. "We have heard so many promises. What we are looking forward is the effective implementation and realization of these promises," he added.