The Manila archdiocese’s lay organization has joined the growing list of Catholic groups supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

In a three-page statement released Friday, the archdiocese’s Council of the Laity said that Robredo and Pangilinan “are the most qualified to lead our nation”.

“We enjoin our fellow laity to express their support for this undertaking in their parishes, organizations, neighborhood and places of work,” Teodoro Santiago, the group’s interim president, said.

“At the same time, it is our hope that religious congregations and our dear clergy would also support and to pray for us,” he said.

According to him, their decision is based on the list of characteristics of leaders that they have collectively set.

“We drew up the following characteristics of the leaders we should vote for, based on Gospel Values and on our own experiences as impoverished people in our country,” Santiago said.

The characteristics include those who are truthful and transparent; who have not been accused of nor been involved in any form of corruption; who have track records of care for the poor and who defend the rights of the poor; who offer real solutions to the problems of climate change and pollution; and who respect human rights and our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

Also in the list are those who have integrity, honesty, a clean track record, and a sincere commitment to end political dynasties and patronage politics; those with concrete, tangible, and measurable economic plan; who value human life, and are against killing by whatever means; who are firm in their constitutional duties to pursue an independent foreign policy; and who sincerely believe in God and follow His commands.