Manila (AsiaNews) – Parishes in the Philippines’ 86 Catholic dioceses have begun recruiting Catholic volunteers for upcoming local elections.
On 14 May, residents in more than 42,000 Barangay (wards) – the country’s smallest administrative division – will elect their own Punong Barangay (chairperson), Sangguniang Barangay (council) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth assembly) ).
Under the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), a faith-based watchdog, volunteers will act as independent observers to ensure free and fair elections.
"There are always possibilities to rig elections or manipulate by the political elite, the wealthy and the influential in the country, be it local or national,” said Roberto Reys, a parishioner of Holy Family in Kamias, diocese of Cubao, speaking to AsiaNews.
“As free citizens of the country, Filipinos need to promote and foster free and fair elections. With the collaboration of PPCRV, which is a national parish-based political but non-partisan lay movement that works assiduously for clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful elections, we are committed to helping the forthcoming elections to be good," Reys added.
In recent days, in various dioceses, bishops have urged Catholics to vote for honest, committed and responsible candidates dedicated to the common good.
The heads and members of village and youth councils are tasked with implementing and monitoring all government programmes for the public at the local level.
