Philippine Redemptorists urge Catholics to choose competent leader

The members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists in the Philippines insist that Catholics should choose the right leader who can lead the nation out of darkness into the light.
 
The Philippines will vote for national and local elections on May 9. 
 
In a statement on April 6, the friars call the faithful to vote according to their conscience, with the right decision based on an informed conscience.
 
The Redemptorists alert the faithful to the importance of one’s choice.
 
“As the elections draw near, we are at a critical juncture that will determine whether the reign of darkness will continue or our country will finally see the light. Everything depends on the choice we will make,” read the statement signed by Father Victorino A. Cueto, Redemptorists Vice-Province of Manila and Father Edilberto B. Cepe, Redemptorists Province of Cebu.
 
The congregation warns the faithful not to be deceived by political candidates who distort facts and history through disinformation or empty promises.
 
“It is important that we know the truth, choose the good, and walk in the light. Let us not allow ourselves to be deceived by self-serving and incompetent candidates motivated by the greed for power, wealth, and glory,” the statement reads.
 
Recalling the history as “a dark period of our history,” the friars witnessed, “the War on Drugs which claimed the lives of many poor Filipinos, the militarization of Lumad communities, the red-tagging of human rights defenders, the Press under attack while fake news proliferated on social media, the millions of Filipinos badly affected by COVID 19, and the corruption that continues to plague many branches of our government,” it further said. 
 
The friars offer the 5C’s Qualities of a good leader for the checklist to choose the right leader for the country.
 
The five qualities of a good leader include 1. Character (good conduct, moral integrity, respect for human dignity, care for creation); 2. Commitment (servant leader: has clear economic, social, and political platforms); 3. Competence (proven track record, adequate knowledge, and skills have a system of accountability and transparency) 4. Compassion (love for the people, work for the empowerment of the poor) and 5. Corruption-free (NOT tainted with graft and corruption, law-abiding)
 
The Redemptorists see guiding the people to choose the right leader as a moral obligation and prophetic mission.
 
The friars express their stand, “Although we avoid partisanship, we cannot remain neutral in the face of evil, deception, and suffering.”
 
They see the election not simply as “a matter of politics but of moral judgment—a choice between good and evil, between light and darkness, between truth and lies.”
 
The Redemptorists in the Philippines are an apostolic community, dedicated through their vows, with their life and ministry, bear prophetic witness to the merciful love of God, proclaim Jesus and work for the Reign of Truth, Justice, and Love.
 
There are as many as 106 (82 priests, 9 brothers, 15 temporary professed students). There are also 11 foundations (four in Luzon, five in the Visayas and two in Mindanao, southern Philippines).

They serve in the Philippines with the new pastoral care such as care for the street children, indigenous people, youth ministry, prison apostolate, Leprosarium, urban poor, interfaith dialogue, and mission abroad.