MANILA, Philippines - The VOTE GOD campaign goes beyond the usual Church-based engagement during elections. The latter remains strictly non-partisan to ensure credible elections. VOTE GOD seeks to infuse Christian values and spirituality into the electoral process. The objective is to help emerge credible candidates and discerning voters.
The campaign traces its roots to three distinct advocacy groups which, in 2007, were consolidated into Dilaab (Cebuano for “conflagration” or Tagalog for “tongues of fire”). Three children had given birth to a mother.
In the past, members of these three groups volunteered to Cebu’s equivalent of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), i.e. Cebu Citizen’s Involvement and Maturation for People Empowerment and Liberation (C-CIMPEL) to ensure credible and honest elections.
By 2007, however, we realized that the original sin of graft and corruption in our country is how we conduct our elections. We wanted to do something to reverse this situation and overcome a sense of futility experienced by many who are fighting graft and corruption.
In 2008, nine prayerful discussion groups (i.e. circles of discernment) with participants from different parts of the country gave us concrete directions as we realized the need to help emerge good people to run for office and to provide “evangelical formation and pastoral accompaniment” to them, as called for by Benedict XVI.
By 2009 we developed the CiDE (circles of discernment for elections) seminar to embody our message. Soon a nationwide CiDE network had emerged. CiDE is now in 30 dioceses and adopted by various Church networks. By early 2010 the seminar – given to more than 3,000 participants in more than 30 groups – was reaching a consensus on the top five qualities of the kind of leaders people are looking for: God-fearing, proven integrity, service orientation, competence, and pro-life.
God-fearing was, by a large majority, identified as the core quality from which other qualities resulted or received their force. Armed with insights from the CiDE seminar and assisted by top communications experts who had volunteered their services, Dilaab through its CiDE network is now in actual engagement for elections. We are campaigning that people choose the way of God during elections.
The VOTE GOD campaign has two components in its communication plan, corresponding to the command of the voice of conscience: do good and reject evil! Choose good candidates and reject evil candidates, even the lesser evil. It rejects any compromise with the evils of vote buying and vote selling, and all its variations. It calls on people to identify, choose, and campaign for good candidates and not settle for the lesser evil. The campaign does not endorse individuals or groups but offers something better: a process to help form the practical conscience of voters who will be forming their own circles of discernment.
The campaign recognizes that, as one writer puts it, it is insane to do the same things over and over again and expect a different result. It therefore employs a variety of relatively new approaches. This includes giving recollections to groups of candidates to the May elections in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Maasin, Tagbilaran, Surigao del Sur, Pampanga, etc. while preparing to give it in other places. This approach has received very positive feedback and has even brought together individuals and groups of different political persuasions, and participants are introduced to a new term: “co-candidates,” rather than political enemies.
The LASER (lifestyle, action, supporters, election conduct, and reputation) test provides the mechanism for helping people make up their minds as to whom to vote. This involves asking candidates to answer the test and disseminating their answers through church networks like parish church, chapels, schools, apostolic organizations, and renewal groups. This seeks to awaken a very widespread and potent network, as well as raise awareness, establish point of dialogue, create space for conversion, and provide a tool for providing pastoral accompaniment for candidates after elections, whether they win or lose.
Last March 10 a church launch was done in Cebu with the Archbishop of Cebu, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, pressing the button to be a fan for a Facebook VOTE GOD site. Last Tuesday the campaign was launched in Intramuros, Manila. Finally, we are planning a covenant run for HOPE (honest, orderly, and peaceful elections) on April 9 with the PNP, AFP and other sectors. This is a follow through to a run conducted in January from Camp Crame to Camp Aguinaldo with more than 2,000 participants.
The author, of the Archdiocese of Cebu, is overall coordinating steward of the Dilaab Foundation, tel (6332) 412-7572 or 0917-3248388.
Editor’s note: Every Sunday until the Sunday before election day, we will run articles on the different aspects of the May 10 polls, including the automated election system itself and the machine, how to vote, what to do and what not to do, the citizen’s role, and others. This series is an initiative of STARweek in cooperation with non-partisan groups, and does not involve any politician or political party. Readers may send in questions and comments by email to starweek.events@gmail.com.