MANILA (UCAN): A letter signed by the leaders of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines [CMSP] and released on February 24 said: “Let us choose the candidates who respect our ability to decide based on truth, and who gives us the power to do so.”
It said, “Let us reject candidates who continue to exploit us through lies in order to get our votes. Let us not put into power those who clearly have vested interests: those who have a record of protecting oligarchs and the interests of the few.”
The CMSP did not name any of the eight candidates in the presidential race but urged voters to reject leaders who spread lies, resort to violence and exploit the poor for power and wealth.
The letter further called upon Filipinos to discern who among the candidates does not endorse violence and extrajudicial killings.
Current president, Rodrigo Duterte, is accused of seeking political gain with his support for extrajudicial killings of drug users, peddlers and related criminals.
Published reports show that, since 2016, at least 7,742 civilians have been killed in his anti-drug operations.
The religious superiors said people need to see the election as “a referendum” on the type of governance they have experienced over the last six years.
“We have seen and we have heard the cry of the poor, which continues to demand for freedom from hunger and poverty; for justice in the face of murders and other crimes; for climate justice in the face of the worsening environmental situation in the country; for a better brand of public service in the face of corruption and apathy of those in power; and for peace in the face of violence,” they said.
According to the Election Commission of the Philippines, 65,721,230 Filipinos are registered to vote in the May 9 national and local elections.
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
“Given all that is happening in our society today, we all have a collective and moral obligation to help one another in improving the conditions of our nation, especially for the poor,” the letter concluded.
