AN OFFICIAL of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) appealed Thursday, February 28, to the faithful to adhere to the “Catholic vote.”
But unlike other religious organizations, CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Laity Chairman Bishop Broderick Pabillo reiterated that the “Catholic vote” does not refer to a specific list of candidates.
“I am asking the laity to follow the CBCP pastoral statement to use our voting power to elect people that are principled and know how to make a stand,” said Pabillo.
"If they see qualified candidates, the laity can campaign for them. That is part of our Christian commitment," he added.
To recall, the CBCP statement released last January called on the public to “elect public officials who are principled, courageous, and who have the common good as their main concern.”
Pabillo said such public officials, especially senators, are necessary amid the threat of the present administration already inching toward getting total control of the country.
“It is true that the principle of checks and balance is already getting lost. This is why we need to choose senators that are principled, and are not just bowing down (to the administration),” said Pabillo.
In the Philippines, about 81 percent of the estimated 108 million Filipinos are Roman Catholics. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)