MANILA (UCAN): “We’ve been very active in guarding our votes like in the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting. Perhaps now is the time to focus also on how our elected leaders exercise their powers after being voted by the people,” Arlene Vidal, a member of Simbayanihan, of a new watchdog set up to ensure political accountability in the Philippines. The initiative was announced by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on June 15
“The group’s name is very local because it came from several words that do not only pertain to the Catholic Church but to nation building … the name itself tells us that if we want good and honest leadership, we need to work together,” Vidal explained. Simbayanihan, draws from the Filipino words simba [to hear Mass], bayani [hero] and bayanihan [spirit of communal unity and cooperation].
Vidal said that unlike other watchdogs of the Catholic Church that focused on clean and honest elections, their group would focus on governance and transparency in government transactions.
Caritas Philippines is also part of the initiative with Bishop Colin Bagaforo, the organisation’s chief, posted on Facebook: “Now that the election is over, our focus is on good governance and accountability. We will also adopt a monitoring programme to make sure elected leaders would fulfill what they promised to the people when they were candidates,” Bishop Bagaforo said.
I think the greatest enemy now is disinformation. Even if there is accountability, if social media will say otherwise, those dirty politicians would be elected again by the people
Peter Dy
The bishops assured that Simbayanihan would actively keep a watch on local government bodies in cities and provinces across the country.
On June 14, several bishops welcomed more than 200 social action directors from parishes across the country on the 40th anniversary of the National Social Action General Assembly in General Santos City, Mindanao.
The event was attended by former Caritas heads like Archbishop Rolando Tirona of Nueva Caceres, who urged participants to stay vigilant as Bongbong Marcos, the son of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, would assume office in July.
“We are calling all people to think of the country, our motherland, not only the self or money or greed. We must all be concerned for the welfare of the country, so join Simbayanihan,” Archbishop Tiron said.
The archbishop told people that they cannot build the future without being involved. “Let us not leave this task to others. Let us gradually transform our political culture,” he added.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
A parishioner in Manila, Peter Dy, said the group should prioritise the fight against disinformation, otherwise its goals would not come to fruition.
“I think the greatest enemy now is disinformation. Even if there is accountability, if social media will say otherwise, those dirty politicians would be elected again by the people,” Dy warned.
