The ecumenical group “One Faith. One Nation. One Voice” said President Duterte’s recent announcement of a bid for Vice-President is the farthest thing from what the country needs.
In a statement on Friday, July 23, the group scored how Duterte failed to deliver on his campaign promises.
"Even as he seeks to keep his grip on power, the truth is that Duterte has not delivered on his promises," said One Voice.
"From defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea to ending corruption in governance, from ending contractualization to strengthening business centers outside of Manila, from building peace to growing the economy, Duterte has been a sham. His harsh, slurred words drivel with lies and falsehoods," added the group.
"Enough is enough. This government has been 'weighed on the scales and found wanting.' Ordinary Filipinos are already exhausted from these past five years of hardship and strife," One Voice said.
The group said if Duterte cares even an iota about democracy, he will step aside and allow the citizenry to see the truth with freshness, so that "Filipinos can assess and recalibrate where they want the nation to go."
It also urged the electorate to exercise good judgment in the May 2022 polls.
"As we admonish President Duterte that it is time to go, we also call the Filipino people to prepare their hearts and clear their vision for the up-coming elections. We wish to remind every Filipino: Your vote matters! The truth matters! With the human rights and pandemic crisis facing our nation, a time of reckoning is upon us. God is calling us to exercise good judgment and to uphold the dignity of all," said One Voice.
Among the signatories in the statement are Bishop Broderick Pabillo of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Bp Reuel Marigza of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Bp Rhee Timbang of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), Bp. Emergencio Padillo of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).