CBCP calls on honest men to lead the nation

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recently issued a Pastoral Statement calling upon those who are “competent, persons of integrity and those committed to change…” to step up and become candidates for political election. They must also be mindful of the common good, aware that vested interests have no place in public office. In the same statement, the CBCP called on the faithful to vote wisely, exhorting them to choose wisely and not choose “the lesser evil”, as has been widely perceived of voters in the past. Despite its authoritativeness, the CBCP statement and call for honest men to run for public office seems a tall order given the existing political and electoral system. People say corruption is built in the system and no matter how honest or well-meaning a public servant, he has no choice but to go with the flow. He struggles at first to maintain his ideals and principles, but this is certainly a big challenge when everybody else around look at their positions as a means of enrichment and source of influence and power. Hence, the term “trapo” was coined to mean traditional politicians, people who carry out the traditional way of politics, in which greed and corruption is justified and principles are forgotten and sacrificed. Still, the government is never without honest and dedicated public servants who, above all, uphold integrity and espouse Christian values in the interest of public service. Add to this the common desire for genuine and positive change; in fact, the reason why our people voted for a former president is largely because he campaigned against the “trapos” and getting rid of them will certainly bring positive change.

Politics always rears its ugly head in many human institutions. The struggle for leadership is inherent in systems and there is always someone who is more powerful and influential than the rest. Systems cater to the very human nature that must seek its own hence there are leaders, followers and detractors. Hence, we see a power struggle even in the best of organizations, some have recently introduced themselves to campaign for positive change and oversee honest and orderly elections, but sadly, the primary objective to win over competition is obvious. We see politics at work even in the most well-meaning associations. The basic reason we see is, again, the inherent sense of competition among associations with a common purpose and the basic need to excel. Politics in itself is not bad and can be a catalyst for change. It just needs to be tempered with honest-to-goodness values and principles, meaning, there is an overriding purpose to uphold the common good at all costs, with no one getting hurt in the transformation process. 

As for the voters, I think by now the Filipino, after all the revolutions and the struggles, has come out wiser. It is not good though that many prefer not to be involved by not registering, with the perception that the available candidates are not competent or honest enough. Neither is it wise to vote for a lesser evil; but in deciding to make the best choice, at least, it means that voters generally go through a thinking process before voting. Of course, we have different ways of reasoning. When Good or Better is preferred over Evil, then this is a good start for instituting change.       

The CBCP Pastoral Statement for me offers the best template so far in the advocacy for positive political change. Because they will not endorse anyone, now they are somehow free of the politics and can be objective in their campaign. But everyone must realize that change cannot be done overnight. The members of the clergy must be vigilant in leading the faithful and be good examples of integrity, dedication and social responsibility. They must be able to instill in the people a strong sense of right and wrong.