THE Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) yesterday said it will reject candidates engaged in historical distortion, especially those revising the Marcos dictatorship and controversial martial law.
In a statement, CEAP said it is necessary to promote adherence to Christian values as a basis in choosing who to vote for during the May national and local elections, foremost of which being the truth.
“We deplore the massive disinformation that is deceiving our people, especially our youth, in a way that is unparalleled in our history,” CEAP said.
“We vehemently reject the candidates, who run under this platform of lies and historical distortion – disseminated in social media by massively-financed trolls – particularly the brazen presentation of the Marcos dictatorship and Martial Law as benevolent regimes our political history,” it added.
The national network of private Catholic schools said it will also reject bets that back the unjust actions of the Duterte administration. These, it said, include the controversial war on drugs and the inaction towards China’s incursions within the Philippine territory.
“We reject candidates, who have supported the unjust acts of the current administration, particularly its drug war that has killed thousands, mostly poor and powerless, and the blatant lack of remorse and accountability from the country’s leadership,” it said.
“We reject candidates, who supported the current administration’s policy toward China’s aggression inside Philippine territory, its rejection of the Hague ruling, and the lack of protection of Filipino fisherfolk,” CEAP added.
On the other hand, it said it will support candidates that have no record of corruption, proven competence in participatory governance, transparency and accountability in public service, love for the poor and their empowerment, ability to sacrifice for the sake of the common good, and readiness to fight for values of truth, social justice, and democracy.
“Our society is now languishing in the darkness of lies, injustice, authoritarianism, and dysfunctional leadership and governance. The May elections is the opportunity that will break this darkness,” CEAP said.
