Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Monday called on the Roman Catholic faithful, particularly the youth, to carefully evaluate candidates before casting their vote in the coming national and local elections.
In a pastoral letter and a video message, the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay told young people to think carefully about who they want to be in office.
“Ang karangalan ng pagboto ay isa ring tungkulin. Pag-isipan natin ng mabuti kung sino ang karapat-dapat, kung sino ang pagkakatiwalaan natin ng ating boto. Higit akong nananawagan sa mga kabataan na lumabas at bumoto. Ang inyong boto ay huhubog sa inyong kinabukasan,” Bishop Pabillio said.
Bishop Pabillio also urged voters not to accept money from politicians in exchange for their votes.
“Ang mga politiko na gumagamit ng pera sa pangangampanya ay bulok o magiging bulok. Saan sila kumuha ng pera na pinamimigay? Maaaring sila ay nagnakaw na o magnanakaw pa upang bawiin ang perang pinamigay. Huwag na huwag iboto ang namimigay ng pera. Tanda na ito ng kanilang kabulukan. Huwag nating ipagbili ang ating bayan,” he said.
He also urged voters not to support candidates of political dynasties, saying it results in a lack of transparency in governance.
“Iwaksi na natin ang mga political dynasties. Ang pamumuno ay wala sa dugo, o sa isang lahi o sa ilang pamilya lamang. Hindi magkakaroon ng maayos na pamumuno kapag magkadugo ang sabay-sabay o sunod-sunod na namumuno,” he added.
Earlier, Bishop Pabillo gave permission to the Sangguniang Layko ng Apostoliko Bikaryato ng Taytay to campaign for Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan including their 11 senatorial candidates.
Pabillo said that he supported the result of the discernment process conducted by the lay group starting in December 2021, but clarified that it is the laity and not the AVT who will be involved in the campaign.
