THE vicar-general of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday, May 9, said revealing the identities of village officials linked to illegal drug activities may be a "sensitive" issue, but it has to be done to guide voters in picking their leaders in the upcoming Barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections.
Monsignor Perseus Cabunoc, vicar-general of the Archdiocese, said the list must have undergone thorough validation and confirmation by the government's law enforcement agencies.
"Delikado kini nga pamaagi pero kung ugaling ang PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) or police mag-confirm mas maayo nga i-announce aron masayod ang publiko unsang klase nga kandidato ang nagpapili ug atong botohan," Cabunoc said.
(This is a sensitive issue. But if the PDEA or the police have validated this, it is better to announce the names so the public will know.)
Cabunoc also said candidates who are taking advantage of the government's war on drugs as part of their campaign style and strategies to beat their opponents could not be avoided and prevented.
It has been observed in some barangays in the city that rival candidates are using the issue on drugs to attack the incumbent leaders in their campaign sorties.
This, after the PDEA Northern Mindanao (PDEA-10) revealed a top 5 list of Oro barangays that are seriously affected by illegal drug activities.
However, Cabunoc said aspiring village leaders must uphold their principles, avoid corruption and shun injustice.
The church, he said, is urging all candidates not to use money to solicit and secure votes.
"Unta tanan kandidato dili mamalit ug dili mamahimo nga ang ilang liderato mahimo lang sa kwarta,"Cabunoc said.
On the other hand, the voting populace are also called on to choose ideal candidates that look after the welfare and development of the people.
Leaders, whom Cabunoc said, have the conscience that won't tolerate corrupt practices and wrongdoings.
Cabunoc said voters should not treat the election as a business opportunity to gamble and gain, but a time to scrutinize who deserves to get a seat in the village posts.
"Usahay ang mga voters gihimo nilang murag lingaw-lingaw ang election ug opportunity nga makaginansya kay makadawat og daghan pero mas maayo kung mobarog sa ilang gituohan nga dunay maayong prinsipyo ug panglantaw sa kalamboan sa komunidad,"Cabunoc said.
(Some voters see the elections as an opportunity to make money. It would be better for voters to push for candidates with principles and vision for the community's progress.)
