Bishops issue Pastoral Statement on Elections
Manila (AsiaNews) - "Elections are a crucial moment in our continuing task of nation-building," the Filipino bishops said in today's issued Pastoral Statement on Elections, entitled "Nation-Building Through Elections: a Guideline for the Faithful."
With less than three weeks until elections on May 10th, 61 Philippine Bishops have emerged from a two-day Plenary Assembly to remind voters that when they cast their ballots for the government officials, and in particular, the highest government position, the Presidency, they must discern and choose candidates whose qualifications are:
- competence, in terms of leadership, experience, professional qualification and record of governance;
- persons of conscience, with personal integrity, transparency, accountability and respect for human rights;
- committed to a vision and program of action in issues such as family and life, the environment, illegal drugs and gambling, justice, peace and order, poverty alleviation, education among others.
"It is a time when we can institutionalize further 'people power' through the informed and responsible choice of local and national leaders by millions of Filipinos here and abroad," the Bishops noted. Since the start of the campaign period last February, there have been talks of manipulations of the election results through "massive fraud and unconstitutional measures." However, the bishops stated their trust that citizenry, through vigilance and concerted actions, "would be the best guarantee of maintaining honest, orderly and peaceful elections." They endorsed citizen's groups such as the Church-based Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, the election watchdog NAMFREL and other organizations working closely with the Commission on Elections. They also named the Philippine National Police, the military and the public school teachers (who will tally the votes by hand) in maintaining a neutral and non-partisan role in ensuring the electoral process.
The electoral process is also a time when we can state that we cannot be neutral against corruption in its various forms, e.g. vote-buying and vote-selling, taxation by the leftist New People's Army of political candidates and ordinary citizens, misuse of public funds, etc.," the Bishops wrote. "This fight against corruption is a Gospel imperative." (S.E.)
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