Twenty-seven lay organizations of the Diocese of Bacolod in an unprecedented move declared their support for Leni Robredo for president and Kiko Pangilinan for vice president on Monday, April 25.
The leaders of the lay groups made the announcement at a press conference at the John Paul II Hall of the Redemptorist Shrine in Bacolod City where they signed their joint declaration of support.
Bobby Magalona, Community of Families for Christ-Gawad Kalinga lay leader, said this is the first time that the lay organizations have united to come up with declaration of support for candidates.
“This is very significant and very historic,” he said.
The lay organizations, in their joint statement, said “we are in extraordinary times…results of these elections will determine what will happen to our country and the future of our children and grandchildren”.
The choice of leaders in these elections will be crucial in deciding our fate as a sovereign and democratic country, they said.
They called on each community to go through a discernment process and to be guided by the truth and not be deceived by propaganda, disinformation, revision of facts and all forms of lies.
As a result of the 27 lay organizations’ discernment they found that Robredo and Pangilinan met their criteria of leaders who are God-fearing, show godly values, and value the Filipino family, Magalona said.
They are also servant leaders – dedicated, passionate, loving and humble in serving the people, care for the poor, are guided by God’s wisdom and have the training and experience to address the country’s challenges, they added
Robredo and Pangilinan are also leaders who will ensure the protection and rehabilitation of the environment and are truthful and trustworthy, will govern, with integrity and transparency and have no record of corruption, the lay groups said.
“We ask our lay faithful to learn, listen and support our Catholic Church social teachings and guidelines regarding our national and local issues, including our Church leaders’ stand on our elections,” they said.
They also called on everyone to make the elections clean, credible and honest.
Magalona said they hope to become a guide and a light to the many others who have not yet made their decision.
“We hope to be able to show them who are the best candidates for this election”, he said.
Asked if their position reflected that of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon and the Diocese of Bacolod, Magalona said the Church does not endorse specific candidates but encourages lay groups to guide their members into choosing the right candidates.
“As far as we know the Church is neutral and will not endorse specific candidates”, Magalona said.
Former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, Robredo People’s Council Negros Occidental head, said 27 of 35 lay organizations of Diocese of Bacolod are able to proclaim openly their support for Robredo and Pangilinan.
The others have not been able to do so because their bylaws do not allow adopting a public partisan position although most if not all of their members share the same sentiment, Coscolluela said.
The position of the lay leaders will definitely send a very strong signal to the diocese, he said.
This initiative of the lay organizations will constitute heavy pressure on the bishop to also make a stand, he said.
“Although we all respect his position if he remains neutral, but deep in his heart I also know who the bishop is in favor of,” Coscolluela said.*