Manila archbishop: Vote for pro-environment bets

MANILA, Philippines - Seeing the destruction brought about by two storms in several Luzon provinces and the National Capital Region (NCR), Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales urged yesterday every Filipino to exercise their right to vote and to select candidates who are pro-environment.

In his recent homily during the gathering for the Manila Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly (Magpas) at St. Paul University in Manila, Rosales said God created people to act as stewards of His creatures.

“To abuse or to overuse these resources can only harvest tragic consequences for the irresponsible and improvident user,” he said.

Rosales said people should therefore select the right government officials who are morally upright, honest individuals and could take on the responsibility as caretakers of nature.

 “Each and every citizen should steward his or her vote because it is its participation as citizens in making political choices, guaranteeing the possibility of electing and holding accountable those who govern them,” he said.

The Cardinal added, “It is right, therefore, to consider stewardship for one’s vote as a serious obligation of every Filipino, just as it is a serious obligation of them to care for nature’s resources.” – Evelyn Macairan