Cebu Prelate Says Church Working With Poll Watchdog, Media For Poll Info Drive

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has said the church is working with the church-backed election watchdog and the media in an information campaign for the coming elections.

The Cebu-Citizens’ Involvement and Maturation in People’sEmpowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel), a church-based political, nongovernment organization (NGO) and election watchdog, will conduct seminars on values voters’ formation.

Palma said the media is the key factor in the campaign to make people aware of the sacredness of the ballot.

“When I was the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, we always said that among the most influential and most potent force in terms of renewal and change are the media people,” Palma said.

The Cebu prelate spoke during the media orientation Saturday with C-Cimpel and the Commission on Elections at the Filipiniana Hall of the Archbishop’s Residence on D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City.

Palma said election is an “opportunity to come together to gather ourselves and enhance our prayer and activities that would ensure the values that we uphold in the electoral process.”

“Practically we are repeating that politics is one aspect of our life that really is a blessing to our people but we miss the opportunity to make good use of the choice of candidates, the opportunity to assure that votes are respected,” he said.

Palma said the church wants to make people aware that it is a serious and sacred obligation to encourage good politicians to run for public office and to help people discern and vote for these politicians.

He said the church wants people to help guard and protect the sacredness of the ballot and assure that the people’s will is paramount. (PNA) SCS/EB/PJN