A SENIOR official of the Roman Catholic Church reiterated Sunday that the church will not engage in partisan politics.

“I don't think we will endorse any person but we will endorse what he stands for. We need their platforms of government,” Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said, in an article posted on the CBCPNews website.

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Arguelles issued the statement following reports that he will support pro-life advocate and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza if ever he intends to run in the 2010 elections.

The archbishop has denied such report and clarified that the Church will not engage in politics.

Instead, Arguelles urged the voters to choose for the candidate, not because of his popularity, but based on his programs and in accordance with the teachings of the church.

Arguelles said the church is always cautious on its actions and on giving statements since it does not want to create confusions among the public.

The Lipa archbishop is the vice chairman of the Commission on Family and Life of the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. (FP/Sunnex)