Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David gave his "blessing" to a lay discernment initiative supporting the candidacy of Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo.
"My dear laity, you have my blessing and I thank the Lord that you have taken this initiative because in the realm of politics you are the frontliners,” CBCP News quoted David's statement after a Mass with the leaders of Kalookan Laity for Principled Politics (KLAPP) who held their first general assembly on Feb. 8.
The prelate said he appreciates the “collective discernment” made by the lay people in his diocese to push for “principled politics."
The group submitted to David their decision to support Robredo, her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan, and all the senatorial candidates under her slate.
David said the country’s political situation calls the laity to be actively involved not just in efforts for clean and orderly elections but also the promotion of principled politics.
Aside from poll watching, he stressed the need for laypeople to also “help the candidates who represent principled politics and who will promote the common good in our society."
“It is not right to shun politics and only associate politics with bad politics. Our issue now is morality and truth,” David said.
“It would be a great sin against God that in matters of good and evil, truth and falsehood, you are neutral. To be neutral means that you support evil," he added.
“It is not right to be neutral when truth and the country’s future are at stake,” David said.
The discernment process also involved various organizations from different sectors and leaders of other Christian churches.