5 Cs for responsible voting

Politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, in as much as it seeks the common good.” This call from Pope Francis is directed not only at public officials, but at all of us voters who are tasked to choose our leaders.

This is the full meaning of good governance — the upright conduct of those who govern “from the top” in response to the participation and call for accountability of those who are governed “from below.” Good governance is a two-way process. Good leaders come from the choice of enlightened voters. Unfit leaders come from those who sell their votes.

Thus, for Pope Francis, “politics is something more noble than posturing, marketing and media spin. These sow nothing but division, conflict and a bleak cynicism incapable of mobilizing people to pursue a common goal.”

For Christians in political life, the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines lists five key principles: pursuit of the common good, promotion of social justice, the spirit of service, option for the poor, and empowerment of people.

In preparation for the May elections, the Catholic bishops have issued a threefold call to all Filipino citizens: to form circles of discernment, to engage in “principled partisan politics,” and to support candidates who work for the common good.

What, then, are some guidelines for choosing candidates who work for the common good? Five dimensions (or 5 Cs) can be considered.

Conscience: Is the candidate a person of moral integrity? Is he/she God-fearing (maka-Diyos) and pro-life (maka-Tao)? Does he/she respect human dignity and human rights? Does he/she follow the rule of law? Is he/she transparent and accountable? Are there no charges or hints of corruption?

“Corruption prevents us from looking to the future with hope,” states Pope Francis. He recalls the scholastics’ dictum: “corruptio optimi pessima” (corruption of the best is the worst).

Competence: What is the educational background of the candidate? How is his/her health (physical, psychological)? What about record of service (in government or in private life)? Competence cannot be based on popularity alone or name recall, much less on fake news.

Compassion: Does the candidate manifest, in word and deed, a concern for the poor and marginalized? Does he/she support social justice measures for the rural poor, indigenous people, urban dwellers without housing? Does he/she work for the empowerment of the poor, in contrast to giving dole-outs? Does the candidate support the peace process through peace talks and addressing the root causes of unrest?

Companions: Who are the supporters and advisers of the candidate? How do we assess their reputation and integrity? Are they traditional politicians, engaged more in transactional rather than transformational politics? Are they beholden to or surrounded by political dynasties? This voids the system of checks and balances needed by a working democracy.

Commitment: Does the candidate show political will and key principles to bring about the common good? What is his/her stand on key issues such as: extrajudicial killings and rights violations, corruption, environment, the legacy of martial law, and Philippine sovereignty over our offshore islands and maritime zones?

This, then, is the challenge for every Filipino voter — to exercise one’s right and responsibility to choose candidates who will work for the common good. “Good politics,” notes the Holy Father, “combines love with hope and with confidence in the reserves of goodness present in human hearts.”

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The Most Reverend Antonio J. Ledesma is the archbishop emeritus of Cagayan de Oro. He served as archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro from 2006 to 2020.