As Election Day draws near, Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula has called on the faithful to seek and defend the truth, and the greater good of society.

“Hinihikayat namin kayo na hanapin at ipagtanggol ang katotohanan at ang ikabubuti ng pangkalahatan. Pinakikiusapan din namin kayo na alagaan ang ating kalayaan at dignidad sa pamamagitan ng makatarungang pagboto (We encourage you to seek and defend the truth and the general good. We also ask you to safeguard our freedom and dignity by voting justly),” Advincula said in his pastoral letter released on Saturday, April 23.

He also called on the public not to vote for candidates who engage in vote-buying activities in order for them to win the polls.

According to him, voters must vote for candidates who are pushing for the good of all, especially for those on the fringes of society.

“Kung tayo ay tunay na maka- Diyos at maka-bayan, pipilin din natin ang mga taong maka-Diyos at maka-bayan (If we are truly godly and patriotic, we will also choose godly and patriotic people),” said the archbishop of Manila.

Advincula has also called on the faithful to pray to God, through the intercession of Mary, for the country to have peaceful, clean, and honest elections.

The archbishop said that the “father of lies” or satan, as mentioned in the scripture of John, is the one behind the proliferation of fake news, paid trolls, revision of history, vote-buying activities, violence, and cheating.

On April 21, Advincula met Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican in Rome.

It was the very first time that Pope Francis met Advincula as cardinal and archbishop of Manila.