Church people Cry out: Uphold human dignity, fight for social justice!
Core of our faith is embracing the cause of the poor and the downtrodden, and journeying with them in their long quest for social justice, no matter the tremendous odds. Our love of God is manifested in our love not only for our neighbor but of country. It is thus our moral obligation to actively take part in building genuine democracy.
These are dark times for the Philippines as we witness brazen violations of the sanctity of life in various ways – from anti-people economic policies, to extrajudicial killings that have caught the attention of the international community, rampant corruption and traditional patronage politics, and continued sell out of our patrimony and sovereignty.
The May 9, 2022 elections provide an avenue for the faithful to demonstrate their rejection of these anti-people ways, and reclaim human dignity towards genuine development that favors the common good instead of the elite few. One way is by supporting candidates whose track record and platform demonstrate their service to the people. Candidates with known probity and integrity on human rights, good governance, and love of country are vital in ensuring that the current regime (whether through circumvention of the law or proxy) is ended.
In the search for genuine servant leaders, we thus propose categorical stance on the following:
1. Uphold human dignity and oppose attacks on people’s rights. Clear opposition to the Anti-Terrorism Law and other repressive measures used to silence government’s perceived critics; is part of efforts, national and international, or has taken a stance demanding accountability of State perpetrators of extrajudicial killings, especially on the sham War on Drugs, counterinsurgency program and on Moro peoples under the guise of war in Mindanao. This also includes clear stance respecting and upholding the rights of women, indigenous and other peoples, workers and farmers.
2. Support pro-people economic policies. This means putting an end to all forms of contractualization; support for job security and decent wages; promotion of a land to the tiller program, and support for local farmers towards agricultural productivity; development of local industries; protection of overseas Filipino workers; and rejection of regressive taxes and onerous loans.
3. Anti- political dynasty. Rejects domination of the same elite families in various levels of governance, and favors building of genuine leaders supporting grassroots and community empowerment.
4. Anti-corruption. Sterling track record and has not been involved in any case involving misuse of people’s money or doing favors to enrich family and supporters. Consistent in calling out branches of government, especially the Executive, in corruption issues including the Philhealth 15 B scandal, among many others.
5. Champion of national patrimony and sovereignty. Upholds an independent policy that protects the rights of the Filipino people above all. This includes taking a stance against Chinese aggression and plunder of the West Philippine Sea, and on unequal treaties with the United States such as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Protects patrimony by rejecting large-scale foreign mining and other so-called development projects that drives away and destroys indigenous peoples communities.
6. Advocate of Just and Lasting Peace. Categorically supports efforts to address the roots of the armed conflict, including peace processes with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the Bangsamoro; rejects militarist solutions and adheres to previous agreements such as the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) as basis of negotiations.
Faithfulness to public service is measured in many ways, but the one barometer of this is actual stance on these concrete issues. The real test of truth and knowledge is in practice.
“Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” (Psalms 85:11) -Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium 183
