Surigao del Sur map
TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR — The head of the Catholic flock in Surigao del Sur said the Church here will continue to be non-partisan and avoid endorsing candidates in the May 9 polls.
However, Bishop Raul Dael said they will be helping the voters in discerning the right choice in the ballot, emphasizing that the institution “can never be neutral between lies and truth.”
“We are trying to build up a new political culture. We want to form good electorates; electorates who will listen first to our candidates,” Dael, who assumed as prelate four years ago, said in his homily during Tuesday noon’s Holy Mass attended by Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate, Sen. Francis Pangilinan.
“If we want to have a well-discerned decision, we have to gather data, we have to listen to all the platforms of governance of our candidates,” Dael explained.
He explained that it was the reason why he invited Robredo and her slate to speak before the people in the diocese so they will have a feel of their persons as well as their plans for the country.
“We maintain that the Church will not be endorsing someone. (But) we will be accompanying our people so that their choice will always be based on principles, and not because of money,” Dael emphasized.
Instead of simply receiving Robredo and Pangilinan in a meeting, Dael hosted a Mass for them, with some 70 priests of the Tandag diocese, and leaders and members of other denominations such as the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.
“Maybe most here (inside the church) will vote for you. But many have not yet made up their minds. This is the very purpose that you are invited here. So that we will listen to you, so that we will see you,” Dael said.
“We are not voting for a shadow, we are voting for a person; a person whom we can always see where disasters are. Kung saan ang hirap, andun siya. Yon ang gusto naming presidente, ‘yun ang gusto naming pipiliin (Where there is difficulty, that leader is there. That’s the kind of president we want, that’s who we’re going to choose),” Dael added.
The bishop said he will also facilitate a similar event for other presidential hopefuls if they are willing to come.
“The Church is always giving space and fairness to everyone,” Dael said.
The Church-facilitated listening process for the faithful, he said, has begun for provincial slates and will continue for local ones in the parishes. He added that two meetings of the Presbyterium were dedicated to two opposing camps in the race for provincial seats.
Dael then admonished voters not to sell their votes.
“Your vote is not only your right. Your vote is also your power. And by your vote, you will tell people what kind of person you are,” Dael said.
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