Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the country’s Catholic bishops, will continue with its voters education campaign even after the elections in May.
“Voters’ education will be people’s empowerment,” said Father Antonio Labiao, executive secretary of the organization, in an interview over Radio Veritas 846.
“This is a year round education for voter’s empowerment for nation building,” said the priest.
This week, Caritas Philippines and Dilaab Foundation, a faith-based organization, launched the “I Vote God” campaign, an initiative that aims to promote responsible and safe elections.
Father Labiao said part of the project is a post-election accountability program to help winning candidates implement his or her platform.
“Because that is the only way to help public servants, and also to help people get involved, participate not only during the elections but also in the daily performance of leadership,” said the priest.
He said the Church will also continue with its collective efforts ensure people’s participation in governance.
Father Victor Carmelo Diola, chairman of Dilaab Foundation, urged the public to elect candidates whose “lifestyle, accomplishment, source of support, election conduct, and reputation in the community” are consistent with the teachings of the Church.
Father Diola said the choices voters make are still personality-based and dependent on external influence like surveys, name-recall, peer pressure, among others.
The priest emphasized the need for a “culture of change” for voters.
In a pastoral statement released on March 27, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines encouraged dioceses to apply the “LASER” method in their communities.
Caritas Philippines announced on Monday that it will spearhead “40 days of prayer and discernment” for the coming elections from March 30 until election day on May 9.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national chairman of Caritas Philippines, said the initiative aims to highlight that “it is very important that we put God in the center of political exercise.”
“We invite you to discern and put God at the center of your decision-making especially this coming elections,” said Bishop Bagaforo during the “i Vote God” online press briefing.
