Politics is not only election

The director of the Archdiocesan Social Action Center of Davao said that political life of the country should not just be about elections which is marred by vote buying in the form of rice, money, material goods but there’s more.

Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr. said most people are thinking that politics is equivalent to election but the truth is, politics is not just elections.

“Mubo pa ang atong political maturity,” he said, adding everything in life has a political aspect.

He explained that politics is also like running one’s household. Decisions are made and they should be for the common good just like how a father or mother runs a home.

Fr. Dublan commented that the hype that surrounding the label on candidates as ‘Team Buhay’ and ‘Team Patay’ should have not been the only basis on the choice of candidates during the recent elections.

He said the people should not only dwell on the issue of who are pro-lifers or not but the track record of the candidates and what are their stands regarding other issues surrounding the country.

A candidate may have signified that he or she condemns the Reproductive Health Law but supports mining and gambling, then the candidate still do not conform to the teachings of the Church.

Fr. Dublan said a candidate may have outspokenly supported the non-passing of the then Reproductive Health Bill and later Law which have been issued a TRO by the Supreme Court but he or she still do not support life if the candidate resorts to vote-buying to gain votes or the candidate is involved in corruption and other scandals.

Candidates who support the Reproductive Health Law are called advocates of provisions that promote contraception and abortion that’s why some groups call for the electorate not to vote for them and supports for the election of candidates who are pro-life. Among those who are known for her reproductive health advocacy is Risa Hontiveros who did not land on the 12 senatorial posts.

While the Church hierarchy is keen on not endorsing specific names who must be elected, the laity on the other hand is always called to exercise their right to vote judiciously and elect candidates who support the welfare of the people.

Fr. Dublan said election is not the end of the political life of the people. Human dignity should be every voter’s utmost concern in deciding whom to vote and in running one’s home.