IRIGA CITY – The Church should not be maligned for inviting politicians to meet religious congregations during the campaign season as the clergy needs to “educate” its parishioners, a Bicolano priest said Wednesday, shortly after 4 opposition candidates visited a church here.

Otso Diretso bets and devout Catholics Chel Diokno, Romulo Macalintal and Erin Tañada, as well as Muslim civic leader Samira Gutoc sat on the front pews of the St. Agustin of Padua Church here as they paid a courtesy call to parish priest Monsignor Nono Sañado.

The monsignor, who gave each of the 4 candidates a chance to deliver short messages to several parishioners before meeting them in a closed-door session, said the Church should not be maligned for participating in “voter education.”

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