Bishop invites Filipinos to vote for true leaders, not entertainers

Eight months before the Philippine midterm elections in May, a Filipino bishop encouraged the voters to elect true statesmen and not politicians who turn public office into drama and entertainment.

“Let us choose those who will truly help us, not those who will just sing or dance for us, or only make us laugh… and not those who will do or say nothing when our God is mocked and our Catholic faith is disrespected,” said Bishop Ruperto Santos of Antipolo diocese in his homily during a recent mass at the Philippine Coast Guard in Manila.

Celebrating a mass for the 29th National Seafarers’ Day, Santos noted that the responsible voter chooses not because of the sheer popularity of the candidate.

The bishop also reminded that the responsible voter does not elect a candidate merely because of political endorsements, nor because the voter has a fellowship with the candidate.

“We must choose correctly, wisely, and worthily because if we don’t choose correctly, we will regret it and suffer in the end,” Santos said. “If we vote for those who are honest, true, and genuine, we can expect good and effective leadership.”

In his call for Filipinos to elect true statesmen, the bishop found an ally in Ninotchka Rosca, an outspoken Filipino human rights advocate, award-winning author, and journalist.

Rosca, a recipient of the American Book Award, and author of a number of books, was saddened over the choice of some Filipinos who keep electing incompetent, dishonest and politicians who possess no ability to make a firm stand for Filipinos.

She called this political character among Filipinos as “self-hatred.”

“Some Filipinos don't think they deserve better,” Rosca said. “The country is extremely demoralized.”

Rosca voiced dismay over voters who keep rejecting competent, and honest leaders who have proven statesmanship. 

“This is “the psychopathology of a battered nation lacking a national vision,” she said.

Rosca also observed corrupt politicians and their allies were employing money to discredit a lawmaker who investigated human trafficking cases that led to the arrest of a dismissed mayor, and a religious group leader.

Some Filipinos reject leaders who are competent, honest, and who fight for the country as a result of well-oiled and coordinated disinformation spread against them by corrupt politicians, she observed.

“That is one factor,” Rosca said. “The other is the patriarchal and feudal value system which cannot accept a competent and courageous woman who is not linked to a powerful family -- an independent one, in other words.”

Rosca expressed confidence the Catholic church is capable of shifting the views of Filipinos on the right track.

“The Church can and should do a lot to change this perspective,” Rosca said.

The filing of certificates of candidacy for the midterm elections is set from October 1 to 8.

Bishop Santos reminded that elective public office should be used for the welfare of the people and not to be exploited to advance the personal interests of politicians.