Church offers lessons for midterm elections

Filipinos can learn a lot from the recent Vatican papal conclave in choosing their leaders, said Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, just days before the midterm elections tomorrow, 12 May.

“I hope we can show here the unique way leaders are chosen through the voting of a leader of the Catholic Church,” Advincula said. “We know, of course, how to distinguish between religious and political leaders.”

Advincula made the remarks during a press conference over the weekend alongside Cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle and Pablo Virgilio David.

The three Filipino cardinals had just returned from Rome, where they took part in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV successor to the late Pope Francis.

“Internal discipline is necessary,” said Tagle, reflecting on the solemn responsibility of choosing the next pontiff. “We must all be disciplined not to think, ‘Am I a candidate?’”

Tagle explained that cardinals relied on prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout the selection process.

“There are no candidates in the sense of promoting oneself or one’s countrymen. In the end, you return to your conscience and your vote knowing you will one day face God, who will judge us.”

The Holy See Press Office announced that Tagle, currently pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will remain in his post “provisionally.”

For Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, the conclave was a powerful reminder of a divine presence at work. “It was not us who worked, but the Holy Spirit. It seemed like our jobs became easier in choosing the next pope,” he said.

He also called on the Filipino faithful to pray for the new pontiff. “Let us thank the Lord who gave us His gift of the Pope in the person of Pope Leo XIV.”

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, became the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church — and the first American to assume the papacy.

Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Prevost was ordained in 1982. He spent many years as a missionary in Peru, where he also gained Peruvian nationality.

He served for a decade as a parish priest and seminary teacher in the city of Trujillo, in the country’s northwest.

Full alert

Meanwhile, with over 68 million Filipinos expected to vote tomorrow, final preparations are in full swing to ensure a safe, smooth, and orderly 2025 midterm election.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed 2,260 personnel nationwide, supported by 28 emergency vehicles, 103 foot patrols, 51 mobile units, and 216 ambulances — 38 already stationed in key areas and 178 on standby at local chapters.

The PRC will also operate 291 first aid stations and 146 welfare desks in high-traffic areas, including schools, malls, airports, barangay halls, bus terminals, and train stations.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, has 3,000 trained officers on standby as special electoral board members, ready to step in where teachers are unavailable.

“We’re fully prepared, with our security plans in place,” said PNP Maj. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba. “All hands are on deck.”

Comelec Chair George Garcia declared the poll body “100 percent ready,” crediting early preparations for the more organized and calm atmosphere this year.

“You can already feel how much more relaxed things are compared to past elections,” he said. “That’s the value of preparing early. Even if minor issues arise, we have time to fix them.”

Garcia also noted that voters are now more informed and that efforts to combat disinformation have paid off. Comelec’s Task Force KKK, launched last year, continues to monitor and counter false information across media platforms, he said.

As of 9 May, the Comelec recorded 40 validated election-related incidents, significantly lower than the 100 cases logged in both 2019 and 2022.

Garcia attributed the drop to tighter enforcement and a stronger security presence.

“We’re slowly changing the face of elections in this country,” he said.

Campaigning ends

The Comelec also reminded all candidates that campaigning is strictly prohibited today, 11 May, including online and on traditional media.

“This one-day break is meant to help voters reflect and make thoughtful decisions,” Garcia explained. “Let’s give them the space to choose wisely.”

The campaign ban, under Comelec Resolution 11086 and the Fair Elections Act, prohibits all election-related activities such as public canvassing, distribution of campaign materials, and offering anything of value to voters.

Violators face one to six years in prison, disqualification from public office, and loss of voting rights.

Over 750,000 poll workers, including 280,000 public school teachers, will receive higher honoraria this election.

The Department of Budget and Management approved a P2,000 increase, raising the compensation to P12,000 for electoral board chairpersons (from P10,000), P11,000 for poll clerks and third members (from P9,000), and P8,000 for support staff (from P6,000).

The Department of Education said P7.48 billion has been allocated from the national budget to cover allowances, service credits and other election-related support.