Christian churches urge voters to shun corrupt bets

MANILA, Philippines — Christian leaders called on Filipinos to make “profound change” in the country by voting for candidates who walk with the masses and by rejecting corrupt politicians in the May midterm polls.

In a statement Easter Monday, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines—an ecumenical fellowship of non-Roman Catholic denominations—urged Christians to elect people who are “acceptable” in the eyes of God.

“Let us vote for those who will walk with the masses of the poor in our nation, who suffer the burden of the cross of poverty,” NCCP said.

It added: “Let us shun those who bear the sins of corruption, those who push for ill-conceived development and those who seek power but lack real accountability to the people.”

NCCP also stressed that voting should be an “act of faith in practice, not just an act of self-interest.”

RELATED: Filipinos urged to vote for environmental rights champions

In a pastoral statement last January, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called on the Catholic faithful to be very discerning in their votes and elect public officials who are principled, courageous and who have the common good of the nation as their top concern.

The bishops also called on Catholics to be involved in the electoral process “by posting our views in the social media, but with great respect for others and with the end of advancing the truth.”

RELATED: Amnesty International urges Filipinos to elect candidates who champion human rights