Archdiocese of Manila launches voter education campaign for Eleksyon 2022

The Archdiocese of Manila’s social communications ministry on Thursday launched a campaign to educate voters on various issues in connection with the May 2022 elections.

Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) permanent committee on public affairs, said the “1Godly Vote” campaign would utilize media platforms to disseminate information such as the candidates’ stand on issues and existing policies as well as the qualities needed for a “renewed kind of politics.”

A debate among candidates and face-to-face discussion and analysis of issues may also be conducted “if the situation so warrants,” he said.

“Our motivation is to achieve a renewed kind of politics by focusing more on the following: moral principles than on the latest polls, the concerns and needs of the weak than on benefits for the strong and powerful, and the pursuit of the common good than on the demands of narrow and selfish interests,” Secillano said at an online press conference.

Secillano said the campaign does not only target Catholic voters.

“Everyone is welcome and invited to listen, to discern and to participate, and hence benefit from this program,” he said.

“Besides, this program or campaign is not a promotion of Catholic dogmas or doctrines but a means to achieve greater understanding of societal issues, leading voters to make informed choices during the election.”

The number of registered voters in the country recently breached the 61-million mark, based on data from the Commission on Elections. -MDM, GMA News