CBCP tells flock: ‘Don’t surrender hope to forces of evil at work in our society’

MANILA, Philippines— “We should not surrender our hope to the forces of evil at work in our society.”

This was the message of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Bishop Pablo Virgilio David to the congregation a week after the country held its local and national elections, even adding that people should “keep a good attitude and remain focused as we ‘move forward’ together.”

“The factors that continue to challenge our democratic institutions have been made more obvious by this election: well-funded trolls that are very successful in conditioning minds through mass disinformation in the social media, and massive vote-buying now made easier by online cash transfers,” the prelate said in a statement Monday.

David also said that if there’s anything to be hopeful for, it’s the “reawakened sense of patriotism among many sectors in Philippine society, especially among our young people who have discovered the power of solidarity for the common good.”

The bishop even called this “a rediscovery of what we used to call ‘people power’.”

“Now it has to be harnessed through the creation of well-thought-out, well-planned, and better-organized mass movements that will not only protect our democratic institutions but will also contribute proactively towards community development on the grassroots level and the formation of a better, more mature political culture,” David said.

“Remember, Jesus taught his disciples to be ‘innocent as doves but clever as serpents’.”

The May 9 polls saw the emergence of the late dictator’s son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., garnering more than 31 million votes against incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo, who placed second with 14.8 million votes.

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