We, the current members of the Board of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, faithful to our mandate to be agents of social transformation as contained in the decree Apostolicam Actuositatem which stresses that the “renewal of the temporal order” must be taken up by the laity “as their own special obligation,” aspire to exercise this mandate, “led by the light of the Gospel and the mind of the Church and motivated by Christian character.” With this statement, we continue to remind our members that “it is the primary task of the lay faithful, formed in the school of the Gospel, to be directly involved in political and social activity.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Dei)
We have taken directions from PCP II (Art.8 #1), as it strongly urged that competent and conscientious persons of integrity should become political candidates and the laity must “help form the civic conscience of the voting population and work to explicitly promote the election of leaders of true integrity to public office.”
After a series of listening sessions conducted in the LAIKO Board and personal evaluations, through prayerful discernment, of the profiles and platforms of the Presidential Candidates (from science-based research, live interviews and data coming from trusted sources), the current leadership of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas have reached a majority decision (specifically 11 of 15, with 3 abstentions and 1 absence) regarding the endorsement of a candidate for President.
Though there are still other issues* which need further dialogue and cooperation, we are of the opinion that Vice President LENI ROBREDO, based on her track-record of service, dedication to good governance, ability to implement partnerships and programs for the advancement of the people especially the marginalized and her unassailable integrity, bested the others.
With our current political-economic turmoil and the pandemic situation in the Philippines, we firmly believe that Vice President Leni Robredo, a God-fearing person, is the most capable candidate for the Presidency, and we urge our constituents, if possible, to consider the same.
Hence, we explicitly endorse Vice President Leni Robredo to the highest position of our land.
Entrusting this decision to our mighty and merciful Lord on February 5, 2022.
On behalf of the majority members,
(SGD.)RAYMOND DANIEL H. CRUZ JR.
National President
CBCP-Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas
Abstentions: Gertrudes E. Bautista, Dr. Rene C. Bullecer and Proculo T. Sarmen
Absence: Conchita M. Dela Cruz
*With Reservations on her stance on SOGIE, Same Sex Civil Union and Decriminalization of Abortion: Xavy Padilla
