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INSTILLING integrity, transparency and accountability in the face of massive corruption and politicking is a work in progress for Filipino voters that should continue long after next year's elections.
“There is still much to be desired in terms of (implementing) the mechanisms of transparency and accountability,” said Fr. Carmelo Diola, head steward of Dilaab Foundation Inc.
The church-based group is planning a “discernment and integrity” retreat for prospective candidates as part of its campaign for clean and credible elections.
Aside from monitoring the polling precincts, Diola said it's important for voters to choose the right leaders.
“The way we conduct our elections is the original sin of graft and corruption. In the work we did for our first seven years, we were just dealing with the symptoms of graft and corruption,” he said.
Three other groups work with Dilaab – the Friends of Pedro Foundation that deal with overseas Filipino workers, Kamatuoran that focused on narco-politics and the anti-corruption watchdog Barug Pilipino.
“During elections, we would volunteer for C-Cimpel until we realized we should do more than what the church is currently doing,” Diola told CEBU DAILY NEWS.
C-Cimpel or the Cebu-Citizens' Involvement, Maturation and People Empowerment and Liberation is the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Service's political education service arm which undertakes poll watching and voters' education.
“Presently the church is making sure elections are credible. We will go beyond that and do something complementary because no matter if we have credible elections, if we do not have credible candidates to choose from; so what is the result?” Diola said.
Diola said Dilaab has been starting small group discussions in different parts of the country called CIDE or circles of discernment for elections.
“We took our cue from the bishops in a 2007 statement that they were calling on the faithful to form circles of discernment,” he said in reference to the Filipino Bishops' Pastoral exhortation on Working and Praying for Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections.
Fr. Diola cited the need for “principled partisan politics.”
“Ultimately there is a partisan angle to it. Bishops spoke on principled partisan politics. That is a paradigm shift,” he said.
He said while the clergy cannot endorse candidates, they can discuss issues like corruption in government.
Diola mentioned the lamppost controversy involving Cebu officials as an example.
In a separate interview, San Carlos Major Seminary professor Fr. Aloysius Cartagenas said the Church should intensify voters education and values formation campaigns.
“They have a project of producing radio stringers that is aimed at educating people on the conscience vote, against vote buying, being vigilant and to choose the right people. I think this is more productive than giving them an exam,” he said.
