Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has urged Filipinos to refuse money from politicians and report “vote buyers” to authorities this election season.
“Ang ilan ay nakatatanggap na ng ayuda bago pa man magsimula ang campaign period…hindi ito maagang tulong, ito ay maagang corruption,” Villegas said in a pastoral letter read in all churches of the archdiocese on Nov. 28.
“Huwag mabahala na hindi iboto ang nag abot ng pera o ayuda. Huwag sumamba sa kandidatong nagdiyus-diyusan. [W]ala kang pananagutan na tuparin ang usapang marka demonyo,” he added.
Villegas said those in dire need may take money from politicians as long as these are given as “gifts.”
“Tanggapin ang pera at bumoto sa kursunada. Lumpuhin ang perang pinambibili sa boto mo. Hiyain ang vote buyer! Walang vote buyer kung walang vote seller,” he added.
But if the money is offered in exchange for votes, Villegas said the “good Catholic” thing to do is to refuse it altogether.
“Kapag ganito ang sitwasyon, bilang mabuting Katoliko, tumanggi. Trust God na tutulungan ka Niya sa ibang paraan. Kapag tinanggap ang ‘tulong’ sabay ng bulong na ‘iboto mo ako,’ baka maging bad example ka pa sa iba, baka gayahin ka nila,” he said.
“May awa ang Diyos. Tanggihan mo. Bahala na ang Diyos na tutulong sa iyo. Huwag kumapit sa patalim. Masusugatan ka,” Villegas added.
The former head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines decried how electing leaders had become a popularity contest.
“Ang political party ay hindi fans club. Hindi beauty pageant and eleksyon at lalong hindi film festival. Civil servants sila at hindi tayo utusan,” he said.
Quoting Pope Francis, Villegas said Filipinos should stand up against corruption in all forms.
“Ang corruption ay hindi matitigil kung tatahimik lamang tayo. Dapat tayong magsalita laban dito. Dapat isigaw na mali ang corruption. Maghari ang mercy at compassion laban sa selfishness. Pwedeng maging dakila kahit walang pera,” he said.
Villegas added that Filipinos should not feel indebted to politicians who had given them money.
“Huwag matakot sa banta na malalaman kung sino ang ibinoto mo. Dahil sa computerized election, ikaw lamang ang nakakaalam ng boto mo,” he said.
“Alam ng Diyos. Nakikita ng Diyos. Hindi natutulog ang Diyos. Kung may vote buyer, patulong kayo sa parish priest ninyo at sa legal assistance desk ng PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting). Isumbong. Manindigan. Be a proud Filipino kung may makulong na vote buyer dahil tumestigo ka. Kabayanihan yan,” he added.
The PPCRV serves as a watchdog in ensuring fair and fraud-free elections.
Vote buying is an “election offense regardless of financial situation or noble intentions,” according to Commission on Elections spokesman James Jimenez.
The campaign period for national positions will begin on Feb. 8 until May 7, 2022, while those vying for local positions may campaign from March 25 to May 7, 2022.
