Filippino bishops: The Church doesn't do politics, we leave it to the laity

In a few days the country is called to renew the Senate in the mid-term elections.  The polls favor President Duterte's political structure: some analysts fear that, reinforced by the polls, the leader could re-introduce the death penalty.  The Bishops' Conference: "Catholics must support the best candidates, but priests and bishops must not give endorsements".

Manila (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Bishops conference in the Philippines does "not make any endorsement...Bishops and priests are not allowed to do that. That is clearly partisan politics,”  says the president of the national episcopal conference, Msgr.  Romulo Valles, in response to some press rumors that claim the bishops are "on the front line" in the political debate.

The mid-term elections - halfway through the 2016 presidential term by Rodrigo Duterte - will take place next week.  The voters are called to renew the Senate: the polls published in recent days give a clear preference to the incumbent president and his political formation.  Some commentators fear that, with a strengthening of Duterte, the death penalty could return to the country.

The bishops, writes Msgr.  Valles, "The CBCP continues to appeal to all Filipinos: Vote wisely in the coming elections. Let us continue to pray for a peaceful, credible and honest elections,” he said. Following their plenary assembly in January, the bishops urged the faithful and lay organizations to form “discernment circles” to examine who are the best candidates."