Elections and the Holy Week

We observed traffic buildup during the weekend as campaign sorties commissioned by election candidates made the rounds of Metro Manila, loudspeakers blaring out all sorts of jingles and announcements to get the voting public’s attention. We also read of poll violence in various parts of the country, getting more frequent as election approaches. This is not exactly an appropriate way to start Semana Santa or Holy Week.

Hence, we welcome the statement issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), through its spokesman, Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, enjoining everyone to observe Holy Week and to participate in activities and spiritual acts of churches and parishes. He appealed to all candidates to cease campaigning at this time and instead focus on how they could commemorate the sacrifice of our Lord and His death on the cross more than 2,000 years ago.

Most people consider Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday as the only days symbolic of Christ’s death and suffering. However, the commemoration of Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday, not only to have our palms blessed by the priest, as has been the practice, but to mark the beginning of the Lord’s last week on earth as a human being. Holy Week represents the last week of Christ on earth as one of us when He had to endure the trials, sufferings and persecution until His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Quitorio also reminded us that Holy Monday is in commemoration of "the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem". Yesterday’s news on escalating poll violence and the ambush of a mayoralty candidate in a Masbate town does not speak well of Monday being a holy day in Holy Week. There are also election-related incidents in the Bicol region, Quezon City and in other parts of the country.

If some of our candidates choose to conduct their electioneering at this time, let them do so. But we ask them to allow the faithful to observe Holy Week in peace and sobriety. Prayer and reflection may help the voters choose the correct candidates.