Cebu Archdiocese launches Vote God campaign

A CHURCH-based organization formally launched yesterday a campaign that hopes to promote a “faith-impelled engagement of citizens” during the elections this May.

The Dilaab Foundation, through its Circles of Discernment for Elections (CiDE) initiative, has formally launched its “Vote God” movement that aims to evangelize politics and “provide spaces for a pastoral voice for Christians in public office.”

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Dilaab’s Fr. Carmelo Diola, in his statement, said the campaign hopes voters and candidates will “not only have the moral courage to choose good people but also reject evil, even the lesser evil.”

Original sin

Diola, in a press conference yesterday, said the national elections have become the “original sin” of graft and corruption, as election practices, such as vote-buying, cheating and election scams occur.

He said, however, that the elections is also a turning point for change if the selection process of public officials is done well.

Diola said the Catholic Church has been trying to change the tide of politics by ensuring credible elections without being directly engaged in partisan politics.

With the “Vote God” campaign, they hope to propose a process of “pastoral accompaniment” that forms the practical consciences of voters and candidates by raising specific questions on the qualities of leaders people seek.

Laser

Diola said they hope to put candidates under a Laser (which stands for Lifestyle, Action, Supporters, Election Conduct and Reputation) test and the NGT or nominal group technique, which will prepare a list of desired traits for leaders aspiring for public office.

The proposal is for groups and networks to ask candidates and voters to answer the questions in the two instruments and then disseminate them to the public, in order to not only help transform candidates but also help voters to make their decision.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who was the main guest of yesterday’s activity, said the “Vote God” campaign complements the objectives of the Cebu Citizens’ Involvement and Maturation in People’s Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel), of which he is a member.

However, unlike the Task Force for Family and Life which recently announced that it is endorsing two presidential candidates, the “Vote God” campaign or even Dilaab will not endorse anyone.