Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales discouraged Tuesday politicians from running in the May 2010 elections unless they have the qualities of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino and former President Corazon Aquino.

“The qualities of the couple are also the same qualities that the Filipino voters will look for in a candidate in 2010,” Rosales said.

“Therefore, those bereft of such qualities should think twice before running,” he added. These qualities include honesty, morality and fear of God. “It seems these are the qualities that Filipinos are looking for in a leader,” said Rosales.

But he admitted that it would be very difficult to find another Ninoy or Cory. “That’s why the people love them so much.’’

Rosales said: “We saw how Filipinos went to the streets made evident by the crowds that you saw. It happened only once before with Ninoy and now it’s being repeated again for Cory.”

“What does it mean? It means Filipinos are looking for a leader which is a combination of Ninoy and Cory,” the cardinal said.

Mrs. Aquino will be interred at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City on Wednesday.