Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has issued a pastoral call to young Filipinos ahead of the elections, warning against casting ballots driven by political allegiance, vengeance, or the protection of entrenched dynasties.
The appeal came through a Facebook pastoral letter published Wednesday, in which Villegas framed the act of voting as a moral responsibility rooted in faith rather than faction.
“Kaya pumili ka bilang isang builder na alam na kailangan pa rin natin si Lord. Pumili ka ng mga leaders at policies na may respeto sa human rights at tunay na naglilingkod sa mga pamilya, sa mga disadvantaged, at sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Gamitin mo ang political responsibility mo nang may katotohanan—hindi dahil sa manipulation at hindi dahil sa takot,” he wrote.
The Archbishop drew attention to a range of pressing national concerns — among them the oil crisis, low wages, graft in flood control infrastructure, and questions surrounding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s health — as the backdrop against which voters must exercise discernment.
Villegas also addressed the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte as part of the broader political environment shaping the upcoming electoral choices.
He challenged voters to examine their motivations honestly, warning that the desire for one’s “side” to win or to exact political revenge can masquerade as a pursuit of justice.
“Ngayon, heto na ang main character question: Ano ba talaga ang ‘sinasamba’ mo tuwing bumoboto ka? Kung bumoboto ka lang para makaganti, para lang manalo ang ‘side’ mo, o para protektahan ang mga political dynasties at trapo (political patronage), baka akala mo ‘justice’ ang pinaglalaban mo, pero ang totoo, pinapakain mo lang ang mga ‘idols’ na binalaan na tayo sa Bible,” Villegas wrote.
