From left to right: Bishops Gerardo A. Alminaza of San Carlos, Louie P. Galbines of Kabankalan, Patricio A. Buzon of Bacolod, and Julito B. Cortes of Dumaguete
BACOLOD CITY — The four bishops of Negros Island, in a collegial statement released on Friday, April 8, called for the election of accountable and honest leaders in the May 9 polls.
“Claim ownership of the electoral process by exercising your rights to vote and to choose leaders who are competent, transparent, and who prioritize the people and the environment over profit and power,” they said.
Bishops Gerardo A. Alminaza of San Carlos, Louie P. Galbines of Kabankalan, Patricio A. Buzon of Bacolod, and Julito B. Cortes of Dumaguete were among the signatories of the collegial statement.
“We pray that the unified voices of the Filipinos for accountable and honest leadership give birth to true progress. This is our chance to be heard,” they said.
The bishops envisioned a government that is rooted in faith and oriented towards the values of compassion and respect.
“We aspire for a government that respects and implements due process as it upholds fairness and justice in its implementation of the law,” they said.
The bishops also demanded leaders who are committed public servants who are honest and transparent in establishing a government that is pro-poor, pro-people and pro-environment; devoid of any hidden agenda that compromises our integrity as a nation and as a Filipino people; firm but compassionate; and listening to people and their context.
Voters, they said, should be responsible and well-informed of their choices through legitimate sources of information.
“The dioceses recognize the importance of the upcoming election in shaping future engagements in dealing with the climate crisis, knowing full well the power and influence elected leaders can contribute to saving ecological patrimony or on the contrary,” the prelates said.
“May all the voters and candidates alike take responsibility for the outcome of this electoral process as we discern the full weight that this historic event will place on our country’s future,” they added.
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