An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Sunday chided politicians for using the Christmas celebration for their political agenda.

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, CBCP Media Director, said that what politicians should promote during Christmas is love and not their selfish interests.

“Government leaders should use Christmas to promote the love in Christmas and not to promote selfishness which is the love of oneself,” he said.

Quitorio issued the statement noting the number of tarpaulins on the streets bearing the Christmas and New Year’s greeting of politicians.

The CBCP official cited the recent installation of Bishop Joel Baylon as bishop of Legaspi, Albay as an example.

“According to those who attended the event, the tarpaulins of politicians congratulating Bishop Baylon was everywhere in Legaspi City . But the photo on the side of the greeting was that of the politicians and not that of Bishop Baylon,” Quitorio said, adding that “they made use of the occasion.”

This, Quitorio said, is common especially during the Christmas Season. “They are using their money with an objective of promoting themselves. That’s why you see a barrage of greetings all over the country.”