GOD-FEARING KA BA? : Voters, candidates must answer 'laser question'

CEBU, Philippines - To guide not only candidates but also the voters themselves on their decision come election time, and to make such credible, the Dilaab Foundation formally launched the Circles of Discernment for Elections (CiDe) movement yesterday at Betania Retreat House, barangay Lahug, Cebu City with the presence of Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

With the theme “Raising the tide CiDe by CiDe,” it is a movement trying to ensure credible elections by guiding voters towards their proper discernment and conscience of choosing the right leaders and to the candidates to be honest and sincere in their governance.

To the candidates, Archbishop Lagdameo quoted from the pastoral statement issued by the CBCP which read: “We ask the candidates, already at this point to start serving the nation by being honest and sincere in educating the people on the situation of our country in their campaign. They should not campaign to manipulate the perceptions of the people but to help them make good choices for the sake of the country. They are to present platforms rather than to attack others.”

To the voters, CBCP calls for wise exercise of their right to suffrage.

When asked on the issue of failure of elections, Archbishop Lagdameo said that, ”we do not know what exactly will happen and the only thing we could do is to warn that there must be some kind of preparation just in case there will be (election failure). However, in case an election failure will happen, then that’s the time we will cross the bridge. Mahirap namang manghula eh,” he added.

As explained further by Fr. Carmelo Diola, overall coordinating steward of the Dilaab Movement, both candidates and voters can facilitate this discernment through a “formulated laser question” they made which goes “God fearing ka ba? Talaga?.”

This laser question should be substantiated and manifested in proven integrity, genuine leadership and competence, Fr. Diola said.

One of their approaches to support this movement is by working closely with various organizations such as the council of the laity and the media to come up with programs for good governance.

The group also clarified that they are not endorsing any candidates and what they are up to is to give sound guidance to the people in their decision.

Among the attendees of the CiDe national gathering are the Diocese of Kidapawan, Digos and Tandag; Diocese of Maasin, Parañaque and Tagbilaran; Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Lipa, Novaliches, San Fernando in Pampanga; Jaro, Cebu and Manila.

Aside from Fr. Diola, the panelist who attended the conference are composed of Noel Sibal of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Fr. Leonido Dolor of Archdiocese of Lipa, Fr. Nathaniel Lerio, social action director of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro; and Anne Christine Wilson of the Archdiocese in Novaliches. — Antoniette T. Parce/MEEV (FREEMAN NEWS)