AWARE of the crisis of credibility that hounds every election in the country, the bishops of the metropolitan province of Tuguegarao has issued pastoral guidelines to the faithful for the upcoming May polls.
Tuguegarao Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan, Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena, Tabuk Bishop Prudencio Andaya, and Ilagan Bishop Joseph Nacua have released a joint pastoral exhortation reminding the faithful to exercise their God-given right of suffrage responsibly.
“The exercise of the rights of suffrage is morally significant for it has to do with our basic search for justice and freedom, and with our nation’s well-being. It is then immoral to sell one’s vote and to treat one’s crucial right as a commercial commodity. More reprehensible yet is the practice of those who seek to thwart the genuine expression of the people’s will by vote-buying,” the bishops exhorted.
The prelates urged the people to pray and discern well in their choice of candidates.
“They must choose God-fearing persons, who are moral, not given to vices, reverent of life and its deserved decency, consistent true friends of the poor, ever protective of the integrity of creation, simple and humble, and good examples of responsible Filipino citizenship,” they stressed.
The pastoral letter urged the faithful to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot and to condemn violence in any form that would undermine the freedom of electorates to vote according to their conscience.
“We must be strong in our protest against the use of influence and other forms of moral coercions that officials and leaders have in offices, schools and organizations for the purpose of gaining loyalty and support for a political party or candidate,” the bishops said.
Highlighting the role of poll watchers and volunteers to ensure a credible election, the prelates said they should be allowed to do their duty without any restrictions.
Parishioners under the leadership of their pastors should join hands with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in manning the polling centers to ensure that people’s votes are safeguarded, they said.
Commending the youth’s idealism, the bishops also encouraged the young people “to face, with courage and with conviction, the risks to commitment and the trials of involvement.”
“I trust in the idealism of the youth; their vigilance and militancy in our country have been most inspiring,” they added.
The bishops also took note of military presence in polling precincts, especially in areas considered hot spots, saying their presence should not be used as means to support any political group.
With many candidates spending beyond their means during the campaign period, the bishops called on candidates “to demonstrate their trustworthiness and honesty” and submit to “popular will.”
The prelates criticized overspending by some candidates during the campaign period saying that such is “condemnable” when many are suffering.
“Let us remember our lesson in the past elections that excessive campaign expenses do not assure good and responsive governance. Excessive campaign expenses can lead the elected candidate to the vicious cycle of graft and corrupt practices,” they stressed.
The bishops then urged the faithful to pray and ask the intercession of the Our Lady of Piat “for peaceful elections and a unified people before, during, and after elections.”
2 comments:
you're welcome
The moral dilemma of our poor voters is that they have hand to mouth existence. It would not very easy to condemn them if they receive money from any party.
What seems to be a good strategy is, while educating them about their dignity and right of suffrage, and while leaving to their freedom to accept the "money" or not, they should be firm in affirming their dignity and their freedom to the vote buyers. To tell these political pawns that at least they will respect their right to choose a candidate, if not to report these illegal practice of vote buying.
To take the bait but not the hook! "Kahit may pain, decision sa eleksyon akin pa rin!"
Post a Comment