ARCHBISHOP Antonio Ledesma of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro called on for "circles of discernment" among the citizens and Catholic faithfuls this election season.
During the 118th Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Plenary Assembly press conference, Ledesma urged Catholic faithfuls to create circles of discernment "to see and judge who are the best candidates."
Ledesma said although the church does not endorse candidates, lay Catholics have the right and responsibility to engage in a principled partisan politics.
This means, actively participating in politics and work for the renewal of the country's political system.
In a pastoral letter, the Catholic bishops urged voters to preserve checks and balances in government by electing 'principled' candidates this coming midterm elections.
The bishops stressed the need for such system that restrain not only government but those who run it.
It is "crucial", they said, because the checks and balances in the government today are being "undermined."
"We encourage voters to be more discerning in their votes," reads part of the statement.
"It is very crucial therefore that we elect public officials who are principled, courageous and who have the common good as their main concern and not their own political interests," they said.
