Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) incoming president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David urged the public to choose candidates who are "trustworthy" during the 2022 general elections next year.
"We should in fact be ashamed to call ourselves Christians if we don’t actively participate in getting the trustworthy candidates voted into office. That is, if we care at all about the future of our country," said David.
The prelate said that the public "should never again neglect politics as an essential component of nation-building and working for the common good."
While it is important to pray for good candidates, David reminded Filipinos that this action is not enough.
"The Lord has given us those candidates already. Unfortunately, the Lord is not a voter in the coming elections. We are," he said.
"He has entrusted to us the task of making that important choice. Will we or will we not respond to his call to be responsible stewards of our nation which he loves so dearly, and has saved many times already from destruction?," he added.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to release the official list of candidates for the May 2022 national and local elections.
Among the notable aspirants for the presidency include Vice President Leni Robredo, former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos; senators Manny Pacquiao, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, and Christopher “Bong” Go; former defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno, and labor leader Leody De Guzman.
For the vice president position, notable aspirants include Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, former lawmaker Walden Bello, and physician Willie Ong.