Preachers planning to join politics should avoid bragging that they are inherently better candidates just because they lead a religious organization, Malacañang said Sunday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said religious leaders pursuing a career in public office should be the first ones to demonstrate humility and avoid self-righteousness.

Olivar said they should also be prepared in the electoral fight since their competitors have adequate skills and experience that merit a seat in public office.

He however said they see nothing illegal with the pursuit of religious leaders in public office, adding every Filipino has a right to seek public office.

So far, Jesus Is Lord Movement Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, a priest prior to joining politics, have expressed plans to run for president next year. El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde is still consulting his followers if he should join the presidential race in 2010.

“May karapatan din sila bilang pribadong mamamaayan na makilahok sa pulitika. Ang hinihingi lang sana natin ay huwag po sana nilang sabihin sa mamamayan o sa botante na paniniwala na special na katayuan o special na katangian na sila ay inherently na mas magaling kaysa sa ibang kandidato dahil lamang na dati sila pastor o pari,” Olivar said.

“Ang pagpasok sa pulitika, ibang usapan na po yan at kailangang maging handa na sila na makipagpalitan o makipagtuusan ika nga sa mga tao na dati na may karanasan,” he said.

Olivar admitted that these religious leaders would actually have a hard time in governance due to their lack of experience. “But of course, we wish them well like every other candidate na may mabuting plano at mabuting saloobin para sa mamamayan,” he said.

He also dispelled talk that the entry of religious leaders in politics was a reflection of how bad the governance of President Arroyo in the last eight years.

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap yung ganoong klaseng statement. Wala naman pruweba o ebidensya na ibinibigay no para panindigan ang mga statement na ganito,” he said.

“Mas maganda nga sa palagay ko dapat sila ng humility as men of god. Alam nyo ang pinaka importanteng katangian na itinuturo ng panginoong Diyos sa atin, ang pinaka importante ay paging humble. Umiwas tayo sa pagiging self righteous, you should be humble because we should be aware of our own imperfections,” he said.