MANILA, Philippines - Newly installed Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Bishop Nereo Odchimar said 2010 is an opportunity for the Filipino people to institute changes in the political system to get rid of corruption through the elections on May 10.

“Institutions need change… 2010 in our political life is an election year. People, through the exercise of their right of suffrage will effect a power shift in the executive and legislative branches of our civil government. We must retain what is good, promote what still needs improvement and discard what is base and corrupt,” Odchimar said in his New Year’s message.

He said the coming elections are the perfect time to make right reforms.

“Social transformation starts within ourselves. Election is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss. Over and above the factors beyond our capacity, with our great faith in God and in ourselves, we can still make our wish for a happy new year a reality,” he added.

The 69-year-old bishop from Tandag City, Surigao del Sur said Filipinos should look forward to the coming year despite the tragedies that happened in 2009.

“If we were part of the problem yesterday, we can also be part of the solution today. We hold the key to a better tomorrow. We need an informed electorate enlightened through voters’ education, a vigilant citizenry who will guard against the attempts of some to frustrate the genuine will of the people and steadfast persons who stay undaunted by intimidation of ruthless politicians, in order to put into office reliable leaders who would guide our nation in the coming years,” Odchimar added.

Meanwhile, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas urged Filipinos to uphold the integrity of life and let it “flow like a river” this 2010.

“Let wholeness shine like the noonday sun,” Villegas said in his message titled “A New Year of Integrity.” Noticing the division among the Filipino people, Villegas hoped that 2010 would see the country healed and be made whole.

“May Jesus make us all men and women of integrity and character, Christians who teach by the power of exemplary lives. Grace and responsibility must come together,” he said.

But Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz expressed pessimism in his message titled “Happy New Year?” posted on his blog.

He wondered whether it would indeed be a happy 2010 for Filipinos or an “empty habitual gesture of wishful thinking” amid the “imminent political troubles and social dangers it is about to bring.” With Eva Visperas