Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of the Diocese of Kalookan gave his “blessing” to a lay group that has expressed support for the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo in this year’s presidential race.
“My dear laity, you have my blessing and I thank the Lord that you have taken this initiative because in the realm of politics you are the frontliners,” said Bishop David.
The prelate, who is also president of the country’s bishops’ conference, made the statement after celebrating Mass with leaders of the Kalookan Laity for Principled Politics on February 8.
Bishop David said he appreciates the “collective discernment” made by the lay people in his diocese to press for “principled politics.”
The lay group earlier submitted its decision to support Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan to the bishop.
The organization agreed during their assembly to endorse all the senatorial candidates under Robredo’s slate.
Bishop David said the country’s political situation calls the laity to be actively involved not just in efforts for clean and orderly elections but also the promotion of principled politics.
Aside from poll watching, he said laypeople should also help candidates “who represent principled politics and who will promote the common good in our society.”
“It is not right to shun politics and only associate politics with bad politics. Our issue now is morality and truth,” said the bishop.
“It would be a great sin against God that in matters of good and evil, truth and falsehood, you are neutral. To be neutral means that you support evil,” said Bishop David.
“It is not right to be neutral when truth and the country’s future are at stake,” he added.
The discernment process also involved various organizations from different sectors and leaders of other Christian churches.
Earlier, the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul congregation its support for Robredo’s candidacy.
In a statement, the congregation said it is also supporting the other candidates in the vice president’s team “who stand for the same platforms and manifest the same love and respect for God and the Filipino people.”
“We pledge to collaborate with other institutions, groups, and individuals from all faiths and walks of life to make our dream and desire for a better Philippines a reality,” they said.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines earlier announced that it will release a statement on the national elections later this month. – from a report by CBCP News
