CBCP tells electorate: Voting for ‘lesser evil’ is still voting for evil
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged the voting public to examine their conduct and be guided by a sense of common good in electing the country’s next leaders, barely three months before the May national elections.
In a pastoral statement, CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas said Filipinos should vote only those who are truly qualified for political posts, as “voting for the lesser evil is still voting for evil.”
READ: CBCP issues guidelines to Catholic voters ahead of 2016 polls
“Let us choose those who are truly upright and self-sacrificing, respectful of the dignity of all and compassionate towards the poor. Let us reject those who are dishonest, deceitful, self-seeking and unmindful of the poor,” Villegas said.
“Not voting for a particular position when there is no one fitted for it is also a valid Christian political choice,” he added.
Villegas likewise called on voters not to allow themselves to be manipulated by vote-buying politicians.
“Most certainly our faith in the Eucharist is incompatible with the use of violence, vote-buying and cheating during the election period. These are selfish, destructive and sinful,” Villegas said.
“We remind those who win positions by such fraudulent means have in fact no moral right to assume the offices they stole. We also urge the faithful not to allow themselves to be instruments of fraud. Selling one’s vote is a cooperation in a sinful practice. It is also against the common good,” he added.
The Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop also urged poll authorities, particularly the Commission on Elections, to be “strict and scrupulous” in enforcing rules toward a credible, honest, and peaceful elections.
“In God’s name, we also exhort all who have to do with electoral process or with cases connected with the elections to resist any pressure exerted on them to act or against any person or political party,” Villegas said.
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