The Pastoral ChallengesFr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR

I.I. Analysis of the Philippine Political Analysis of the Philippine Political Culture & Electoral Process. Culture & Electoral Process. Election/Post-Election Scenario Election/Post-Election Scenario

II.II. The Pastoral ChallengesThe Pastoral Challenges

Elections Elections 20042004

Elections – an essential component of Elections – an essential component of the democratic system. It gives the the democratic system. It gives the citizens the opportunity to choose their citizens the opportunity to choose their own leaders. Without election, there own leaders. Without election, there can be no real democracy.can be no real democracy.

Most Filipinos tend to take the elections Most Filipinos tend to take the elections seriously, yet there are also many who seriously, yet there are also many who have become cynical about elections. have become cynical about elections. They doubt whether it is really a true They doubt whether it is really a true expression of genuine democracy.expression of genuine democracy.

Elections Philippine-StyleElections Philippine-Style

““A mega-entertainment circus for the A mega-entertainment circus for the public” public” (CBCP Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)(CBCP Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)

““A Popularity Contest “A Popularity Contest “ ““A useless competition for power among the A useless competition for power among the

various factions within the elite class” various factions within the elite class”

An analysis of the kind of candidates An analysis of the kind of candidates running for election and the voting running for election and the voting patterns of the electorate will tells patterns of the electorate will tells us the nature of Philippine politics us the nature of Philippine politics and electoral process.and electoral process.

Candidates for Local ElectionsCandidates for Local Elections(City, Province, Congressional (City, Province, Congressional

District)District) Mostly traditional politicians belonging Mostly traditional politicians belonging

to political clans or dynasties (including to political clans or dynasties (including their wives, children, etc). Source of their wives, children, etc). Source of income: land, real-estate, businessmen, income: land, real-estate, businessmen, logging, mining, gambling, etc.logging, mining, gambling, etc.

Celebrities (movie, sports, media etc.)Celebrities (movie, sports, media etc.) Cause-oriented politicians, either Cause-oriented politicians, either

independent or supported by ideological independent or supported by ideological groups (Bayan Muna, Akbayan, etc). groups (Bayan Muna, Akbayan, etc).

Candidates: National Candidates: National ElectionsElections

GMA & The K4GMA & The K4 Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

(Economist, incumbent, (Economist, incumbent, daughter of former daughter of former President Macapagal)President Macapagal)

Noli de Castro, Lito Lapid , Noli de Castro, Lito Lapid , Bong Revilla, Sonny Bong Revilla, Sonny Jaworski, Sonny Osmena, Jaworski, Sonny Osmena, Miriam Santiago, Pia Miriam Santiago, Pia Cayetano, Mercado, Biazon, Cayetano, Mercado, Biazon, et al. et al.

(a combination of celebrities (a combination of celebrities and Trapos and balimbings)and Trapos and balimbings)

GMAGMA

StrengthsStrengths devout Catholicdevout Catholic Highly educated Highly educated

(PhD in economics)(PhD in economics) Hard-working and Hard-working and

determineddetermined Competent cabinet Competent cabinet

(that includes (that includes representatives representatives from Civil Society)from Civil Society)

WeaknessesWeaknesses Does not keep her wordDoes not keep her word Flip-flops on key issuesFlip-flops on key issues Perceived as Perceived as

perpetually perpetually campaigning campaigning

Decisions based on Decisions based on political expediency and political expediency and popularity rather than popularity rather than principlesprinciples

Micro-managerMicro-manager Temperamental Temperamental

(mataray)(mataray) Controversial husband Controversial husband

(Pidal?)(Pidal?)

FPJ & KNPFPJ & KNP Fernando Poe, Jr (Actor)Fernando Poe, Jr (Actor) Loren Legarda, Enrile, Loren Legarda, Enrile,

Tatad, Jinggoy Estrada, Tatad, Jinggoy Estrada, Boots Anson Roa, Jamby Boots Anson Roa, Jamby Madrigal, Lim, Pimentel, et Madrigal, Lim, Pimentel, et al.al.

(a combination of celebrities, (a combination of celebrities, recyled Trapos identified recyled Trapos identified with Marcos & Erap) with Marcos & Erap)

Supported by Honasan and Supported by Honasan and Horacio MoralesHoracio Morales

FPJFPJStrengthsStrengths

Mass appeal especially Mass appeal especially to lower classesto lower classes

High Emotional High Emotional QuotientQuotient

Close ties with Close ties with Marcoses, Cojuangco, Marcoses, Cojuangco, Aquino, EstradaAquino, Estrada

Non-trapo & clean Non-trapo & clean imageimage

Support from movie Support from movie industryindustry

WeaknessesWeaknesses No political No political

experience, poor experience, poor qualificationsqualifications

Lacks experience in Lacks experience in consensus buildingconsensus building

Heavy beer drinker Heavy beer drinker & history of getting & history of getting into fightsinto fights

Perception that he Perception that he will be a puppet to will be a puppet to TraposTrapos

Roco & ANP Roco & ANP

Raul Roco (Lawyer, Raul Roco (Lawyer, cause-oriented cause-oriented politician)politician)

Herminio Aquino (Uncle Herminio Aquino (Uncle of Ninoy Aquino), Yasay, of Ninoy Aquino), Yasay, Bong Coo, et al.Bong Coo, et al.

Supported by PROMDI Supported by PROMDI (Lito Osmena) and (Lito Osmena) and REPORMA (De Villa)REPORMA (De Villa)

RocoRocoStrengthsStrengths

IntelligentIntelligent ArticulateArticulate Outstanding Track Outstanding Track

record in record in government government serviceservice

Charismatic Charismatic personalitypersonality

WeaknessesWeaknesses Difficulty in Difficulty in

fielding local fielding local candidatescandidates

Weak organizationWeak organization Limited election Limited election

fundsfunds TemperamentalTemperamental Tends to do things Tends to do things

all by himselfall by himself

Ping LacsonPing Lacson

Lacson (former Lacson (former military, PNP chief, military, PNP chief, Erap boy)Erap boy)

No vice-president, no No vice-president, no senate slatesenate slate

Supported by LDP Supported by LDP Aquino wingAquino wing

PingPing

StrengthsStrengths Definite platform Definite platform

of governmentof government Support of he Support of he

Filipino-Chinese Filipino-Chinese communitycommunity

Well-groomedWell-groomed Non-trapo imageNon-trapo image Can command Can command

blind loyaltyblind loyalty

WeaknessesWeaknesses Aloof, detached, Aloof, detached,

unpredictableunpredictable Kuratong rubout caseKuratong rubout case Association with Association with

fugitives from justice fugitives from justice charged with Dacer charged with Dacer casecase

Rumored links with Rumored links with narcopoliticsnarcopolitics

Reports of alleged ill-Reports of alleged ill-gotten well stashed gotten well stashed in USin US

The Electorate The Electorate A,B,C: The Upper Class/Middle Class A,B,C: The Upper Class/Middle Class

(30%)(30%) Can be expected to vote intelligently and Can be expected to vote intelligently and

according to their conscienceaccording to their conscience Can not easily be swayed by popularityCan not easily be swayed by popularity Can be critical, cynical & frustrated with Can be critical, cynical & frustrated with

the electoral processthe electoral process D, E: Lower Class (70%)D, E: Lower Class (70%)

Many tend to vote according to popularityMany tend to vote according to popularity Can be beholden to their “patrons”Can be beholden to their “patrons” Can easily sell their votesCan easily sell their votes

Youth Vote – 18-24 (35%)Youth Vote – 18-24 (35%)

Voting PatternsVoting PatternsWe have seen how many voters are influenced in We have seen how many voters are influenced in choosing certain candidates not out of conscience choosing certain candidates not out of conscience but because of family relationships.  We also know but because of family relationships.  We also know that the popularity of a candidate (often in another that the popularity of a candidate (often in another field of work such as sports, TV and movies) or the field of work such as sports, TV and movies) or the prospects of political and economic rewards, money prospects of political and economic rewards, money and gifts--and a wrong sense of utang na loob--are and gifts--and a wrong sense of utang na loob--are strong factors in people's voting behavior.  strong factors in people's voting behavior.  Competence, honesty, personal integrity and an Competence, honesty, personal integrity and an acceptable program of government are not primary acceptable program of government are not primary considerations.  This is why in their campaigns considerations.  This is why in their campaigns politicians cater to what the voters want in terms of politicians cater to what the voters want in terms of entertainment and gifts of cash or kind.entertainment and gifts of cash or kind.(CBCP Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)(CBCP Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)

Nature of our Electoral Nature of our Electoral ProcessProcess

““More than ever, political patronage, More than ever, political patronage, payoffs, and personalities dominate payoffs, and personalities dominate our electoral process, not our electoral process, not principles, party platforms and principles, party platforms and genuine people’s participationgenuine people’s participation.”.”

CBCP Pastoral Statement on the coming 2004 electionsCBCP Pastoral Statement on the coming 2004 elections

Nature of Philippine Nature of Philippine PoliticsPolitics

Elitist PoliticsElitist Politics Patronage PoliticsPatronage Politics Politics of Personalities rather than Politics of Personalities rather than

Principles & ProgramsPrinciples & Programs Popularity, Prestige Popularity, Prestige Very weak party systemVery weak party system

What to Expect during the What to Expect during the campaigncampaign Negative ad campaign (TV, Negative ad campaign (TV,

newspapers)newspapers) Political rallies as Entertainment Political rallies as Entertainment

(sing & dance with politicians and (sing & dance with politicians and movie stars)movie stars)

SolicitationSolicitation Collection of Permit to Campaign Collection of Permit to Campaign

(NPA)(NPA) Delivery of “goods & services” to Delivery of “goods & services” to

barangays (especially depressed barangays (especially depressed areas)areas)

Participation of politicians in Participation of politicians in religious activities (fiestas, masses, religious activities (fiestas, masses, baptism, retreats, weddings, etc.)baptism, retreats, weddings, etc.)

Assassinations, harassments of Assassinations, harassments of candidates & campaignerscandidates & campaigners

““The campaign period turns the Philippine scene The campaign period turns the Philippine scene into a mad circus, a vast entertainment plaza.  into a mad circus, a vast entertainment plaza.  Candidates will, during this period, do whatever Candidates will, during this period, do whatever their audience bids them to do--in sharp contrast their audience bids them to do--in sharp contrast to their deafness to the same people's cries for to their deafness to the same people's cries for attention once they are in office.  They will attention once they are in office.  They will dance, clown, kick-box, sing, use gutter dance, clown, kick-box, sing, use gutter language--anything to sell themselves and language--anything to sell themselves and heighten "name recall."  In short, they do heighten "name recall."  In short, they do everything except educate the electorate on everything except educate the electorate on issues.  They hire expensive advertizing agencies issues.  They hire expensive advertizing agencies to polish up their image, often without regard to to polish up their image, often without regard to the truth, and to produce sound-bites and one-the truth, and to produce sound-bites and one-liners that will go over well in political rallies and liners that will go over well in political rallies and quick interviews on radio and television.  All of quick interviews on radio and television.  All of which only serve to worsen our personality-which only serve to worsen our personality-oriented brand of politics.” oriented brand of politics.”

(Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)(Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)

People take advantage of the campaign period People take advantage of the campaign period to ask donations for every conceivable "project" to ask donations for every conceivable "project" from the candidates who are pressured to give from the candidates who are pressured to give under pain of losing valuable votes.  This in turn under pain of losing valuable votes.  This in turn forces candidates to solicit or accept forces candidates to solicit or accept contributions from vested interests who expect contributions from vested interests who expect a return after the elections.  The same goes a return after the elections.  The same goes with the party in power:  It misuses government with the party in power:  It misuses government funds and other resources for electioneering funds and other resources for electioneering purposes.  When later those guilty become purposes.  When later those guilty become vulnerable to prosecution, they whitewash vulnerable to prosecution, they whitewash investigations with the help of proteges investigations with the help of proteges previously deployed in strategic agencies, even previously deployed in strategic agencies, even go to the extent of legislating amendments to go to the extent of legislating amendments to "decriminalize" their violations. "decriminalize" their violations. (Pastoral (Pastoral Exhortation)Exhortation)

What to expect on What to expect on Election dayElection day

Generally peacefulGenerally peaceful The usual flying The usual flying

voting & vote voting & vote buyingbuying

Harassment & Harassment & ballot snatching in ballot snatching in remote areasremote areas

Dagdag-bawas Dagdag-bawas operationoperation

Winning at any cost and by any means--this has Winning at any cost and by any means--this has become the paramount principle governing become the paramount principle governing candidates and parties in their election bid.  candidates and parties in their election bid.  This translates on election day itself into vote-This translates on election day itself into vote-buying, the use of "flying voters", the buying, the use of "flying voters", the intimidation of voters for the opposition, intimidation of voters for the opposition, violence, even murder; and, for turning already violence, even murder; and, for turning already cast votes in one's favor, into bribery of cast votes in one's favor, into bribery of election officials, deliberate miscounting of election officials, deliberate miscounting of votes, tampering with ballots and election votes, tampering with ballots and election results.  The genius and imagination required results.  The genius and imagination required for cheating are truly stupendous and are for cheating are truly stupendous and are exercised to the full--one would only wish they exercised to the full--one would only wish they were used for more noble purposes than were used for more noble purposes than achieving undeserved victories for undeserving achieving undeserved victories for undeserving candidates. candidates. (CBCP Pastoral Exhortation on (CBCP Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)Philippine Politics)

Confusion is the order of the day in many a Confusion is the order of the day in many a community.  And it has to be with the final community.  And it has to be with the final canvassing of election results and the canvassing of election results and the proclamation of winners, as has already been proclamation of winners, as has already been said, taking an unduly long time to happen.  said, taking an unduly long time to happen.  Every loser cries "foul!", declares himself Every loser cries "foul!", declares himself cheated, and election results are not accepted.  cheated, and election results are not accepted.  The COMELEC takes its own sweet time The COMELEC takes its own sweet time deciding on election protests so that when deciding on election protests so that when initial verdicts are finally overturned, cheating initial verdicts are finally overturned, cheating anomalies corrected, those belatedly declared anomalies corrected, those belatedly declared winners are barely able to assume their seats winners are barely able to assume their seats before the new election takes place. before the new election takes place. (CBCP (CBCP Pastoral Exhortation…)Pastoral Exhortation…)

Possible outcome: Local Possible outcome: Local ElectionsElections

The local government will continue to be The local government will continue to be dominated by traditional politicians dominated by traditional politicians belonging to political dynasties & clans. belonging to political dynasties & clans. Some actors will continue to be elected Some actors will continue to be elected especially in urban centers.especially in urban centers.

The congress will likewise be dominated The congress will likewise be dominated by traditional politicians from political by traditional politicians from political clans & dynasties and also from land-clans & dynasties and also from land-owning and business eliteowning and business elite

Elections of more progressives in the Elections of more progressives in the party list (Bayan Muna, Akbayan, etc.)party list (Bayan Muna, Akbayan, etc.)

Possible outcome: National Possible outcome: National ElectionsElections

Scenario 1: FPJ & Noli de CastroScenario 1: FPJ & Noli de Castro Scenario 2: Roco Scenario 2: Roco Scenario 3: GMA & Noli de CastroScenario 3: GMA & Noli de Castro Scenario 4: Ping LacsonScenario 4: Ping Lacson

Scenario 1: victory for Scenario 1: victory for FPJ, NDCFPJ, NDC

President (FPJ), vice-President (Noli), President (FPJ), vice-President (Noli), senators: showbiz with some trapos senators: showbiz with some trapos (Erap & Marcos boys)(Erap & Marcos boys)

Weak, inexperienced, Incompetent & Weak, inexperienced, Incompetent & indecisive leadership, manipulated by indecisive leadership, manipulated by Erap forcesErap forces

The silent President? Release of The silent President? Release of Estrada? Estrada?

Lack of business confidence, inability Lack of business confidence, inability to face the challenge of globalization, to face the challenge of globalization, further deterioration of the economyfurther deterioration of the economy

A sense of hopelessness among the A sense of hopelessness among the middle-forces, more brain-drain.middle-forces, more brain-drain.

Disenchantment among the masses, the Disenchantment among the masses, the idol/messiah fails to come up to their idol/messiah fails to come up to their expectation due to incompetence and expectation due to incompetence and lack of political will (the Emperor has no lack of political will (the Emperor has no clothes)clothes)

He could be overthrown by people power He could be overthrown by people power or coup if he proves to be a disaster.or coup if he proves to be a disaster.

Scenario 2: RocoScenario 2: Roco

A strong political will that could A strong political will that could inspire business confidenceinspire business confidence

Competent & principled leadership Competent & principled leadership that could rally the nation towards that could rally the nation towards developmentdevelopment

Will he adopt liberal/feminist Will he adopt liberal/feminist legislative agenda (legalization of legislative agenda (legalization of abortion & divorce)?abortion & divorce)?

Scenario 3: GMA & NoliScenario 3: GMA & Noli Election protests from FPJ’s & Roco’s Election protests from FPJ’s & Roco’s

supporters (suspicion that GMA used supporters (suspicion that GMA used government funds, machinery, & government funds, machinery, & Comelec to win)Comelec to win)

More of the same?More of the same? Continuity of previous program & Continuity of previous program &

policies (Pro-US, Peace Process, policies (Pro-US, Peace Process, development program, death penalty, development program, death penalty, strong republic)strong republic)

Charter change, federalism, Charter change, federalism, parliamentary system ?parliamentary system ?

Scenario 4: Lacson WinsScenario 4: Lacson Wins

A disaster: “triumph of Narco-A disaster: “triumph of Narco-politics”politics”

Growth of a police state – salvaging, Growth of a police state – salvaging, etc.etc.

Political instability and divisionPolitical instability and division Another people power?Another people power? Expansion of the revolutionary Expansion of the revolutionary

movementmovement

Whoever wins the Whoever wins the Election will face Election will face

the perennial the perennial problems of problems of

Philippine Society:Philippine Society:

The Dark Side of The Dark Side of GlobalizationGlobalization

Poverty & InequalityPoverty & Inequality

))

The Moro Problem & the MILF Armed StruggleThe Moro Problem & the MILF Armed Struggle

The Armed Struggle waged by the The Armed Struggle waged by the CPP/NDF/NPACPP/NDF/NPA

Coup Attempts & RumorsCoup Attempts & Rumors

The Pastoral The Pastoral ChallengesChallenges

The coming elections is the context in which The coming elections is the context in which we carry out our pastoral work. We can we carry out our pastoral work. We can either ignore it or respond to its challengeeither ignore it or respond to its challenge

Some would dismiss it as a futile & useless Some would dismiss it as a futile & useless exercise that won’t make a difference in the exercise that won’t make a difference in the life of the people, especially the poor, “full life of the people, especially the poor, “full of sound and fury signifying nothing.” of sound and fury signifying nothing.” (ignore it)(ignore it)

Others would look at it as a critical period Others would look at it as a critical period whose outcome will affect the future. whose outcome will affect the future. (respond to its challenge)(respond to its challenge)

Pastoral Action to Pastoral Action to Transform PoliticsTransform Politics

The main pastoral challenge is what pastoral The main pastoral challenge is what pastoral action can we undertake to transform action can we undertake to transform Philippine politics:Philippine politics:

Catechesis and Political Education for the Catechesis and Political Education for the ElectorateElectorate

Evangelization & Moral Formation of Evangelization & Moral Formation of PoliticiansPoliticians

Mobilizing the parish grassroots network: Mobilizing the parish grassroots network: BECs & Renewal movements for political BECs & Renewal movements for political education and monitoring the conduct of education and monitoring the conduct of electionselections

Addressing the problem of poverty – Addressing the problem of poverty – development & poverty alleviation programsdevelopment & poverty alleviation programs

Educating the ElectorateEducating the Electorate

The political culture: people tend to vote The political culture: people tend to vote according to popularity, patronage, according to popularity, patronage, regional & financial considerations.regional & financial considerations.

The challenge: How can we educate the The challenge: How can we educate the electorate, especially in our pastoral electorate, especially in our pastoral areas (parish, community, BECs, etc.) so areas (parish, community, BECs, etc.) so that they will become critical of the that they will become critical of the present political culture & candidates, present political culture & candidates, and vote wisely according to their and vote wisely according to their conscience? conscience?

The task: conscientization and political The task: conscientization and political educationeducation

Catechesis and Political Catechesis and Political Education.Education.

“ “ The most basic work that has to be done is The most basic work that has to be done is catechesis on politics or Christian education in catechesis on politics or Christian education in politics.  At present there is a tragic dichotomy politics.  At present there is a tragic dichotomy between our faith-life as a people and our political between our faith-life as a people and our political culture.  This dichotomy prevents our faith from culture.  This dichotomy prevents our faith from having a say in our political activities.  As a result our having a say in our political activities.  As a result our political culture is characterized by deception, political culture is characterized by deception, dishonesty, fraud, violence, corruption, pay-offs, and dishonesty, fraud, violence, corruption, pay-offs, and patronage.  Yet most of the participants in the political patronage.  Yet most of the participants in the political process call themselves Christians.  Worse, politicians process call themselves Christians.  Worse, politicians take advantage of their Christianity to promote their take advantage of their Christianity to promote their interests, as when they are photographed in churches interests, as when they are photographed in churches before election time or act as sponsors in baptisms before election time or act as sponsors in baptisms and weddings in order to widen their circle of and weddings in order to widen their circle of supporterssupporters . . (Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)(Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)

The Necessity of Voting for the The Necessity of Voting for the Right People Right People ““However, it is also of the utmost importance that we However, it is also of the utmost importance that we

vote the right people to office.  But who are the right vote the right people to office.  But who are the right persons to vote for?  Whom does God want us to persons to vote for?  Whom does God want us to designate to become bearers of that awesome designate to become bearers of that awesome authority which emanates from him (cf. Rom. 13:1)? … authority which emanates from him (cf. Rom. 13:1)? …

In choosing our leaders in the political community it In choosing our leaders in the political community it would be most logical to look first at the platforms and would be most logical to look first at the platforms and programs of the different political parties.  But programs of the different political parties.  But unfortunately in our country there are practically no unfortunately in our country there are practically no differences in the platforms and programs of the differences in the platforms and programs of the different parties.  Proof of this is the ease with which different parties.  Proof of this is the ease with which candidates even for the highest offices transfer parties candidates even for the highest offices transfer parties or form alliances when their personal interests suit it.  or form alliances when their personal interests suit it.  We need to focus our attention on the qualities needed We need to focus our attention on the qualities needed by our elective public officials. (CBCP)by our elective public officials. (CBCP)

Evangelization & Moral Evangelization & Moral Formation of Politicians:Formation of Politicians:

Political culture: politicians run for office for Political culture: politicians run for office for their own selfish interest, without any clear their own selfish interest, without any clear vision and program.vision and program.

Challenge: Challenge: Hitting the conscience of politicians, Hitting the conscience of politicians,

inculcating the value of service, honesty inculcating the value of service, honesty and integrityand integrity

Promoting principled politics: pro-poor, Promoting principled politics: pro-poor, pro-development, pro-peace, etc.pro-development, pro-peace, etc.

Activities: Candidates forum, retreats for Activities: Candidates forum, retreats for candidates, preaching in the Churchcandidates, preaching in the Church

Mobilizing Church’s Mobilizing Church’s grassroots networkgrassroots network

To participate in political education, To participate in political education, election monitoring (NAMFREL, election monitoring (NAMFREL, PPCRV), etc.PPCRV), etc.

This presupposes the presence of: This presupposes the presence of: a network of BECs in the barangay, sitio a network of BECs in the barangay, sitio

and neighborhood leveland neighborhood level Renewal movements (CFC, BLD, etc)Renewal movements (CFC, BLD, etc)

Working for Honest & Credible Working for Honest & Credible ElectionsElections

We must make sure first of all that those who We must make sure first of all that those who become our leaders in government are those become our leaders in government are those whom we have in fact freely chosen to lead us.  whom we have in fact freely chosen to lead us.  We must work for HONEST ELECTIONS.  We We must work for HONEST ELECTIONS.  We should make sure that people are able to freely should make sure that people are able to freely vote for those whom they wish, that all forms of vote for those whom they wish, that all forms of cheating are eliminated and that the votes are cheating are eliminated and that the votes are counted correctly from the precinct level to the counted correctly from the precinct level to the final canvassing, so that the rightful winners final canvassing, so that the rightful winners are proclaimed and assume office.  We should are proclaimed and assume office.  We should not allow candidates to steal public offices they not allow candidates to steal public offices they do not deserve to occupy while depriving us of do not deserve to occupy while depriving us of the services of those whom we have chosen to the services of those whom we have chosen to serve us. serve us. (CBCP)(CBCP)

What difference will this What difference will this make to the electoral make to the electoral

process?process?Very little:Very little: If there has been no previous If there has been no previous

evangelizing, organizing and evangelizing, organizing and conscientization work among the people conscientization work among the people and communities in the parish.and communities in the parish.

Education/Conscientization is a task that Education/Conscientization is a task that needs to be carried out before and after needs to be carried out before and after elections. It should be sustained and elections. It should be sustained and continuous effort.continuous effort.

But catechesis on politics cannot have any lasting But catechesis on politics cannot have any lasting effect if done only on the occasion of elections.  It effect if done only on the occasion of elections.  It should be done as part and parcel of regular should be done as part and parcel of regular catechesis in the family, in schools, in Basic catechesis in the family, in schools, in Basic Ecclesial Communities, covenant communities of Ecclesial Communities, covenant communities of lay people, religious organizations --"in season, lay people, religious organizations --"in season, out of season," or as the PPC-RV slogan has it, out of season," or as the PPC-RV slogan has it, "panghabang panahon".  Through catechesis on "panghabang panahon".  Through catechesis on politics, people should be led to see the vital link politics, people should be led to see the vital link between their life of faith and their political between their life of faith and their political activity.  They should be taught how to evaluate activity.  They should be taught how to evaluate their options in politics to see whether or not their options in politics to see whether or not they are in accord with the Gospel and the they are in accord with the Gospel and the teachings of the Church.  Catechesis should teachings of the Church.  Catechesis should enable them to express their faith and be guided enable them to express their faith and be guided by their faith in their politicsby their faith in their politics. (Pastoral . (Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics)Exhortation on Philippine Politics)

Dealing with CynicismDealing with Cynicism

““People have become so cynical of government, of People have become so cynical of government, of Congress and of the electoral process itself, that Congress and of the electoral process itself, that often they lose sight of the relevance of their vote often they lose sight of the relevance of their vote to their life or future and sell it for momentary to their life or future and sell it for momentary financial gain.  Thus, despite the pleas of the financial gain.  Thus, despite the pleas of the Church and other responsible groups, election Church and other responsible groups, election after election, for citizens to be vigilant fiscalizers after election, for citizens to be vigilant fiscalizers of government expenditures, many have become of government expenditures, many have become indifferent to corruption or themselves want to indifferent to corruption or themselves want to have "a piece of the action."  Despite too the have "a piece of the action."  Despite too the guidelines regularly issued for the principled guidelines regularly issued for the principled choice of candidates, many an undeserving man or choice of candidates, many an undeserving man or woman still, just as regularly, gets voted into woman still, just as regularly, gets voted into office “ office “ (Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics(Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics

Keeping alive the HopeKeeping alive the Hope

The increasing cynicism and hopelessness The increasing cynicism and hopelessness among the Middle-forces and intelligent among the Middle-forces and intelligent voters: (if this is how the majority votes – voters: (if this is how the majority votes – according to popularity and patronage according to popularity and patronage rather than competence – then we might as rather than competence – then we might as well migrate to another country)well migrate to another country)

The challenge: provide hope – that their The challenge: provide hope – that their votes still matter, that they can still make a votes still matter, that they can still make a difference, if not now, perhaps in the future.difference, if not now, perhaps in the future.

Preparing for the WorstPreparing for the Worst

Anything can happen after the election. Anything can happen after the election. If the worst-case scenario happens, then If the worst-case scenario happens, then we can be in for a long period of we can be in for a long period of stagnation, demoralization and instabilitystagnation, demoralization and instability

Challenge: even in the midst of this Challenge: even in the midst of this worsening situation, how can we worsening situation, how can we continue our task of evangelization, continue our task of evangelization, education & conscientization, organizing education & conscientization, organizing and mobilizing people for social and mobilizing people for social transformation?transformation?

A wider perspectiveA wider perspective Politicians can help make this country a Politicians can help make this country a

better place to live in if they have better place to live in if they have competence, integrity and commitment to competence, integrity and commitment to the common good.the common good.

But they are not the Messiah or savior – But they are not the Messiah or savior – we should not expect too much from them. we should not expect too much from them. Elections do not solve our basic problems.Elections do not solve our basic problems.

In the long run, it will be the people, In the long run, it will be the people, especially the poor, awakened and especially the poor, awakened and empowered who can transform our societyempowered who can transform our society

Ultimate Challenge: Ultimate Challenge: Addressing the Problem of Addressing the Problem of

Poverty Poverty The outcome of the election rests on the vote The outcome of the election rests on the vote

of the poor. Yet, it is also the poor, the of the poor. Yet, it is also the poor, the MasaMasa who can easily be manipulated, whose votes who can easily be manipulated, whose votes can easily be bought, and who tend to vote can easily be bought, and who tend to vote according to patronage and popularity.according to patronage and popularity.

There can be no genuine democracy for as There can be no genuine democracy for as long as majority of the people remain poor and long as majority of the people remain poor and ignorant.ignorant.

The political culture can only be transformed The political culture can only be transformed not just by conscientization program aimed at not just by conscientization program aimed at the poor but also by poverty alleviation the poor but also by poverty alleviation program.program.

This is a task that goes beyond the election This is a task that goes beyond the election period.period.

Part of a long term strategy for Part of a long term strategy for transforming the political terrain is to transforming the political terrain is to develop a grassroots network of BECs and develop a grassroots network of BECs and renewal movements.renewal movements.

These communities need to be formed into These communities need to be formed into prophetic, worshipping and serving prophetic, worshipping and serving communities capable of transforming communities capable of transforming society.society.

These communities must undergo the These communities must undergo the process of sustained political education and process of sustained political education and economic development.economic development.

Their activities should be carried out not Their activities should be carried out not only during election season but before and only during election season but before and beyond it. beyond it.