Catholic groups unite to press for Catholic vote

MANILA, Philippines - Eighteen Catholic lay groups banded together to press for what they call as a Catholic vote in the coming May 2013 midterm and 2016 polls.

Calling itself the “Catholic Vote Philippines,” the groups announced the creation of the bloc in a press conference in Makati on Wednesday.

“There will be a Catholic vote in 2013. We will deliver it through our memberships and from among our fellow parishioners,” said Dr. Ricardo Boncan, group spokesperson.

Boncan said Catholic Vote Philippines was formed in response to the government’s alleged resolve to pass “anti-family” laws in Congress such as the now controversial reproductive health (RH) bill.

Boncan added that aside from population control, their group will also oppose the crafting of laws that are related to divorce, same-sex marriage and will actively campaign against politicians who will espouse laws that run counter to “long-held Christian and family values.”

“This is not a movement to support any candidate. We felt that it was now timely to put this movement into full gear,” said Boncan.

“The movement is also the group’s response to statements made by proponents of the RH bill that there is no such thing as a Catholic vote,” he added.

Boncan said part of the group’s mission is to conduct voter education at the parish level, particularly on the criteria for evaluating candidates seeking national and local seats.

“At the end of the day, each Catholic voter shall choose his candidate. We have 18 groups. We will go to the grassroots. We will use parish councils and committees. Given that we only have four months before the elections, there is more work for us,” he said.

“There is no (Catholic) block vote but there is a base Catholic vote. We just need to educate them on Christian tenets. These will help voters choose candidates who also believe these values,” Boncan added.