Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila, called on Filipino voters to study the track record and platform of candidates running in next year’s national elections.
“We pray that there will be a deep assessment of the programs and platforms of every candidate, as well as their track records,” the prelate said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas 846.
He reiterated his call for the faithful to form “circles of discernment” to guide them in their choice of candidates.
He said it is imperative for voters to discern as a community on the characteristics and track record of each candidate.
“It is our call for the people to create their ‘circles of discernment’ so that we can hear and follow the will of God,” said Cardinal Advincula.
The cardinal encouraged voters to consider the position of candidates regarding respect for human dignity, common good, social justice, and societal charity.
“We hope that these will be the prevailing considerations of the people in choosing our next leaders,” he said.
Dutertes likely to win, says think-tank
A United Kingdom-based think tank earlier said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of Davao and her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, are likely to win their respective vice-presidential and senatorial bids in the 2022 elections.
“The Dutertes should perform well in the upcoming elections, given their strong public support, with Sara a likely favorite for vice president,” the Philippine Star quoted a Fitch Solutions commentary.
Fitch Solutions said it expects Duterte-Carpio’s popularity to remain strong in the vice-presidential race as she is seen to benefit from the continued support her father enjoys.
With the Dutertes expected to remain in the political arena beyond 2022, Fitch said they will likely exert continued influence on policy making.
Fitch Solutions added that the Philippines can expect leading candidates for the presidency to continue the president’s policies, especially Senator Bong Go and former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“As a former close aide to Duterte during his presidency, Bong Go will likely press ahead with key policies such as Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure initiative and improving ties with China,” the think tank said.
“[Marcos] tends to favor the ‘strongman’ approach of Duterte and has shown support for his father’s rule, posing risks of increased authoritarianism,” it said, adding that Marcos appears to be one of the few candidates to agree with Duterte’s policy of engagement with Beijing, “potentially offering the most policy continuity out of the announced candidates.”
Presidential candidates Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and Sen. Manny Pacquiao are also likely to maintain some of Duterte’s policies, but will govern under a “big tent” government, tackling corruption and potentially cooling relations with China in favor of closer ties with the United States.
The think-tank said prospects are bleak for Vice President Leni Robredo, who Fitch said “will struggle to mount a strong challenge for the presidency.” – with a report from CBCP News