10 commandments for voters issued

MANILA, Philippines - Don’t pick candidates for their looks or popularity alone, and don’t pick the corrupt.

These are among the “10 Commandments for Responsible Voting” that an election watchdog released yesterday.

CBCPNews, official news provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)’s 10 Commandments are contained in a booklet titled “Pinoy Big Voter,” a voter’s education manual.

The PPCRV’s commandments ask the electorate to vote according to the dictates of their conscience; to respect the decision of others in choosing their candidates; to seek to know the moral integrity, capabilities, and other personal qualities of the candidates that they would vote for; to strive to understand the issues, platforms, and programs of candidates and parties campaigning; and not to sell one’s vote.

The public is also urged not to vote for candidates who use the four Gs – guns, goons, gold, and glitter; those tainted with graft and corruption; those whom they owe a favor to; and those living an immoral life.

Most of all, voters are advised to always put the welfare of the country as top priority in selecting candidates.

The voter’s manual also contains the church’s social teachings, compilation of various pastoral statements of the Catholic hierarchy on elections, and information about the automated election system.