Cardinal David, CBCP not endorsing any candidate for May 12 polls

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference refutes a letter circulating in social media claiming to show the endorsement of Cardinal Pablo David and the CBCP for senatorial candidates. (Photo from Roman Catholic Bishop of Kalookan/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) are not endorsing any candidates for the May 12 elections.

The CBCP made this clarification on Saturday after a letter circulating online claiming to be from the CBCP, and bearing David’s signature, showed names of 12 senatorial candidates.

The fraudulent claim was also flagged by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Kalookan on its Facebook page. David, who serves as the president of the CBCP, is also the bishop of Kalookan.

READ: CBCP on vote for next pope: Power play shouldn’t eclipse Church’s divinity

CBCP Secretary General Bernardo Pantin said that the Church is not endorsing specific candidates for the elections.

“It only offers guidelines to help the faithful make informed choices based on moral and social teachings,” Pantin said in a statement.

“It only offers guidelines to help the faithful make informed choices based on moral and social teachings,” Pantin added.

READ: Cardinal David to poll bets: Help one another to lead by example

Meanwhile, during a post-conclave conference from Rome on Friday night (Philippine time), David asked the candidates to help one another to have leaders who lead by example.

David made this remark as he was asked for a message for the Filipino faithful who waited for days to have a new pope. The cardinal said that he addresses the distinction between religious leaders and political leaders as it is election season in the country.

He then added that electing leaders should be treated as a “sacred” opportunity. /jpv