A leader of the Catholic Church in Palawan called on its members to exercise caution and prudence in choosing the next leaders in the upcoming May 12 national and local elections.
Bishop Socrates Mesiona, the Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Princesa, issued a pastoral letter telling everyone to exercise discernment in deciding who to vote for in the coming elections.
Socrates reminded the faithful of their duty as Christians to participate in the elections, as it is a sacred process through which one’s civic responsibility is fulfilled and where the faith and resolve for the common good are expressed.
He said choosing the nation’s leaders has always been an important process, where even in the past, Filipinos sacrificed their lives against invaders in their quest for freedom to choose their representatives in government.
Mesiona also said it is worth recalling the hardships and sacrifices they made, and that the freedom to choose today’s leaders is a precious gift that should be treasured through responsible stewardship of such freedom.
The prelate likewise expressed concern over the continued use of illegal means by candidates to persuade the people to vote for them, including vote-buying, violence, and other forms of manipulation.
“Ang mga ganitong mapanlinlang na gawain ay sumisira sa integridad ng proseso ng halalan at pagtataksil sa tiwala ng taong-bayan. Mariin ko kayong hinihimok na talikuran ang mga gawaing ito at magsikap sa isang sistemang sumasalamin sa ating mga pagpapahalaga at pagtatalaga sa katarungan,” Mesiona said in his pastoral letter.
He also urged candidates to maintain integrity and respect the electoral process. Quoting Pope Francis, he said that while politics continues to be looked down upon, it remains an honorable vocation and is one of the highest forms of charity.
“Ibig sabihin nito ay ang pagsisilbi para sa kabutihang panlahat at paggalang sa dignidad ng bawat tao,” he said.
“Bilang mga kandidato, dapat iwasan ang personal na paninira, karahasan, manipulasyon, at paggamit ng fake news, lalo na sa social media, sapagkat ang tunay na paglilingkod sa bayan ay higit pa sa paghahangad ng kapangyarihan,” he added.
Moreover, he encouraged voters to carefully check the records of candidates and vote according to their conscience.
“Sa bahaging ito, mangyaring makilahok sa mga ‘Circles of Discernment’ na inorganisa sa inyong mga komunidad at parokya upang matulungan kayo sa proseso ng pagpapasya upang piliin ang ating mga tamang lider sa politika,” he said, noting the importance of examining one’s conscience and acting according to morals instead of bowing to the influence of others.
He called on the youth to express their strength and serve as the voice of the future, noting his trust in them as potential instruments for positive change.
“Hindi lamang kayo basta mga lider ng bukas; kayo ay mga aktibong kalahok sa lipunan sa kasalukuyan. Ang katotohanang ito ay nag-aanyaya ng pagkilala sa inyong natatanging mga kontribusyon. Yakapin ang tawag sa pagkilos at magtulungan upang bumuo ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa lahat. Ang inyong pagtatalaga sa katarungan, kapayapaan, at serbisyo ay makapagbibigay-inspirasyon sa iba at magdudulot ng pambihirang pagbabago sa lipunan,” he said.
“Hayaan ninyong marinig ang inyong mga boses, at hayaang ang lahat ng inyong pagkilos ay pagninilay sa pagmamahal ni Kristo. Lumikha ng pagkakaiba; bomoto nang may kamalayan para sa mga tunay na karapat-dapat,” he added.
Finally, he called on everyone to unite and pledge for honest, clean, meaningful, and peaceful elections.
“Mayroon tayong banal na tungkulin upang matiyak na ang ating proseso ng halalan ay sumasalamin sa ating mga halaga at nagtataas ng dignidad ng bawat tao. Ang responsibilidad ay nasa bawat isa sa inyo upang matiyak na ang inyong mga pagpili ay sumasalamin sa isang pagtatalaga sa kabutihang panlahat at mga halaga ng ating pananampalataya,” he concluded.
