Filipino bishop calls candidates to pause, reflect during Holy Week

Apr 17, 2025

MANILA: Church and civic groups in the Philippines have urged candidates for the May mid-term elections to pause and reflect during Holy Week on their desire to serve Filipinos amid rising poll-related violence in the Catholic-majority nation.

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines, urged all candidates to “embrace this sacred time for deep reflection and discernment."

In a statement on Palm Sunday, April 13, he noted that Holy Week is not only a time for spiritual renewal but also a meaningful opportunity to contemplate the path of public service.

“We urge our aspiring leaders to reflect sincerely on the good they can do for the country and to recommit themselves to selfless service for the Filipino people, especially the poor, the marginalized, and the voiceless,” he added.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines' social service arm appealed to candidates to “uphold the integrity of the electoral process.”

“May this Holy Week lead us all toward a renewed sense of purpose,” Bagaforo said, hoping the election will “be a celebration of genuine democracy and justice.”

Danilo Arao, the convenor of the anti-poll fraud group Kontra Daya, hoped the Holy Week break from campaigning would remind candidates and their supporters to stop election fraud.

“May they use their resources not just to fight clean but also to expose those who cheat,” he added.

Vote Report PH, an alliance for clean, honest, and fair elections, said a total of 10 deaths associated with election-related violence have been confirmed since Feb. 11.

Violence and red-tagging (labeling of a person as communist or terrorist) are on the rise, a month before this year’s national and local elections, it said.

Of the total 733 campaign violations reports received nationwide as of April 11, red-tagging topped the list, followed by disinformation and fake news, vilification, illegal campaigning, election violence, and vote-buying.

Progressive youth group Spark called for safe and peaceful elections that are free from violence and discrimination against women and youth.

"The electoral arena is becoming a space for unsavory remarks and personal interest, rather than discussing comprehensive plans to better represent students and youth,” Spark deputy spokesperson Althea Mateo told UCA News on April 14.

"Anybody making use of elections to downplay women workers should not be trusted with public office. The voters must reject all candidates or parties of this belief on election day,” she said.--ucanews.com