Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, DD, national director of Caritas Philippines
The head of the advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged local candidates to be “better examples” for their constituents.
Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of Caritas Philippines on Thursday urged candidates to first respect and abide by election laws to improve the conduct of the entire election.
“As a virtue, kindness can bring more meaning to victory, than hitting each other below the belt,” Bagaforo said. “Do not do unto others what you do not want others [to] do unto you.”
As the campaign period for local candidates starts, Bagaforo reminded candidates to follow the law against vote buying or selling, removal or destruction of election materials, among others.
He also stressed the need to follow the same prohibitions, especially during the Holy Week and even after the campaign period.
“Be mindful of plastic wastes, campaign with clear platforms and programs, observe decency, de quorum, and Comelec rules, and respect one another by avoiding violence,” Bagaforo, who is also the National Director of National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa), said.
Caritas Philippines is closely working with its respective counterparts in 85 Diocesan Social Action Centers around the country, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Halalang Marangal 2022, Power of Purple, and I Vote God, to ensure a “clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful election come May 9, 2022.” – Ryan Christopher J. Sorote