MANILA (LiCAS News): “Choose leaders who still need the Lord,” Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, Philippines, urging young people to be more mindful when choosing future leaders amid the “severe political noise” in the country, according to a pastoral letter published on April 15.
“Choose leaders who respect human rights and serve families and the disadvantaged genuinely, for the common good. Use your political responsibility with truthfulness, not because of manipulation or fear.” Archbishop Villegas said.
The archbishop said it is time for Filipinos to realise they have made an “epic fail” by voting for the wrong leaders.
Archbishop Villegas pointed to the rumours surrounding the health of the president, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the ongoing impeachment process of the vice president, Sara Duterte, ghost flood control projects, the oil crisis, and rampant issues regarding drugs and gambling, all of which have pushed Filipinos into what he called a burnout phase.
“It is tempting to become spiritually ‘homeless’, where you move from one viral outrage to another, waiting for a ‘saviour’ or someone who will fix things that have collapsed,” he said.
The archbishop reminded young people to take action and align their consciences with truth and enlightenment, even if they are “bombarded with manipulation.”
“The Church teaches us to discern our conscience, especially if you are constantly exposed to toxic vibes that tempt you to believe in your own ‘truth’ instead of true teaching,” he said.
“In other words: the enemy of truth is not just the corrupt in power… but also how easily we gaslight ourselves to assume that our confusion is ‘wisdom,’” he also said.
Archbishop Villegas called on young people to vote for deserving leaders of the country “by checking their inner selves” and “not riding on the hype.”
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
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The archbishop stressed, “Leaders are not saviours. They only mirror the contents of our hearts. If you desire ‘safety’ but disregard justice, ‘victory’ but set aside truth, or ‘comfort’ but tolerate oppression… You are still making the wrong choice.”
He encouraged the youth to draw strength from God alone so they can become “faithful citizens” who favour leaders dedicated to the common good.
Later this year, on November 2, the Philippines will hold its Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections [neighbourhood and youth council], wherein positions for the smallest administrative division in the country will be filled.
The next presidential elections will be held in 2028.
