An ecumenical coalition of Christian leaders urged Filipinos to elect peace-oriented candidates in the May 12 polls, emphasizing justice and social reform.
In a statement released on May 7, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) said the 2025 National, Local, and BARMM Midterm Elections offer an opportunity “to make a change in the direction of our progress as a nation towards just and lasting peace.”
“Voting for peace means voting for candidates who work for a just and enduring peace,” PEPP said. “These candidates must be humble and willing to serve others. They must prioritize the welfare of their brothers and sisters and be vessels of Jesus’ promise of abundant life for all.”
The church leaders called on the electorate to support candidates who have shown a track record in addressing the root causes of armed conflict, including poverty, landlessness, inaccessibility to social services, and inequitable distribution of resources.
“They must also have displayed efforts to push for fundamental socio-economic reforms to address these social injustices,” the statement read.
PEPP also underscored the importance of electing leaders who back the resumption of peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
“Ultimately, may we choose the candidates who support the peace negotiations… as it is a viable and less costly way to address the decades-long armed conflict in the country,” the group said.
PEPP urged voters to seek spiritual guidance and wisdom in making their choices at the polls. “May our vote, valuable and powerful as it is, start a ripple of transformational change, reflecting our participation in peacemaking as children of God.”
The statement also denounced long-standing political ills, including corruption, dynastic politics, and violence.
“Let us shun the politics of patronage, family political dynasties, and corrupt practices and the practice of ‘guns goons and gold’ that continue to dominate the Philippine political landscape,” it said.
The group called on Filipinos to remain vigilant after the elections and to demand accountability from those elected into office.
“Let us not get weary of praying and working for a just and lasting peace. Because, with our collective and active participation, we shall reap the fruits of our labor in due season.”
Drawing from Scripture, PEPP said, “May we listen to the pleas of our motherland and choose the rightful leaders who will sincerely answer her lamentations. May they be peace-loving leaders who will judge righteously, uphold the rights of the destitute, and become the voice of those who cannot speak (Proverbs 31:8).”
The statement was signed by Archbishop Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ; The Rt. Rev’d. Rex B. Reyes, Jr.; Bishop Emeritus Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr.; Sr. Mary John D. Mananzan, OSB; Rev. Dr. Aldrin M. Peñamora; and Ms. Minnie Anne M. Calub.
PEPP is composed of five major Christian institutions and groups: the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, and the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum. It works for a just and enduring peace through its support for peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP.
