LAIKO sets criteria in choice of candidates

An association of Catholic lay groups has spoken amid the din of the electoral campaign, urging its fellow lay faithful to apply one basic criterion in their choice of candidates in the coming election.

In a statement aptly titled “We Make Our Voices Heard”, the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, has appealed to the public to look for a “fundamental quality for leaders of our country—that of Wisdom, based on fear of the Lord.”

“Let us choose candidates who, by their words, actions and priorities, clearly show their fear of God and obedience to His commandments,” the statement partly read.

A candidate who has fear of the Lord, “respects and stands up for life,” “honest, and will not tolerate corruption” and “genuinely loves the poor,” it said.

“[But] even as we choose candidates who possess these qualities and require that they be strict with themselves in upholding these values, they, however, must not be quick to condemn others who do not have the same qualities. Instead, we look for leaders who are transformational, who will unify and lead others by example,” the statement further read.

Affirming the stand of the Church on the kind of values to look for in a candidate, Laiko urged fellow faithful to “elect only those who have made clear their belief in the sacredness of life and vow to protect it.”

“We believe that the stand of candidates on issues that concern life, marriage and family is fundamental as it goes into the core of their being and faith in the Creator of Life,” it said.

It also reminded fellow voters to choose candidates who have a track record of clean and honest service in the community and have transparent program of governance that will benefit the poor.

Laiko serves as the secretariat of the Episcopal Commission on the Laity of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The association is composed of Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils of the Laity, National Lay Organizations, National Movements and Church-oriented groupings. It promotes nationwide initiatives and coordinates national programs of the laity.