Can’t pick worthy bets? Leave ballot blank, says bishop

Less than three months before the upcoming national elections, a Catholic bishop has advised voters to leave their ballots blank if they cannot choose a worthy candidate to elect into office.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on the Laity of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said voting for the “lesser evil” was still considered voting for the wrong candidate.

“Kung wala naman tayo mapili, huwag tayong pumili ng lesser evil because to vote for (the) lesser is a vote for evil. Kaya kung wala tayong makita na karapat-dapat, ang hindi paglagay ng pangalan sa ating balota ay bahagi na rin ng ating political choice at hangarin na maibalik ang kultura ng kabutihan sa political system ng bansa,” Pabillo said over church-run Radyo Veritas.

READ: CBCP tells electorate: Voting for ‘lesser evil’ is still voting for evil

Pabillo said not settling for undeserving candidates are part of the public’s commitment to the Eucharist and to their faith as responsible voters.

“Huwag tayung magpapadala lang sa mga sabi sabi ng iba; kaya habang tayo ay sumisikap na bumuto ng maayos, pangalagaan din natin na huwag tayung madala ng panlilinlang, huwag tayung madala ng pagbibili ng boto; so ‘yun ay commitment din natin sa eukaristiya,” he added.

Pabillo also reiterated the CBCP’s call to the electorate to choose the country’s next leaders according to their conscience, and to safeguard their vote from all forms of cheating.

“Sa eleksyon, sana ang Diyos ay sumasaatin; kaya may pag-asa tayo, may hope of glory at kailangan din po tayo na makikiisa sa nangyayari sa ating mundo ngayon; kaya sikapin natin na bumoto ng maayos para sa eleksyon,” Pabillo said.

“Tayo ay magbantay na ang boto natin ay dapat na bilangin. Kaya tinawagan din natin ang Comelec na maglagay ng mga safety features sa mga makinang gagamitin sa halalan na nakapaloob sa batas,” he added.

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