The Diocesan Electoral Board is again reactivating in preparation for the May 2013 midterm elections.
Going by news accounts, this Board, also called the DEB, is at the forefront of ensuring a clean, honest and orderly election.
We have known about, and have been a media supporter of the DEB for the past several elections. The DEB is composed of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, the National Movement for Free Elections, the Comelec, the Philippine Information Agency, the Department of Education, the Bishop Businessmen Conference, and the media.
The DEB has lined up activities aimed at achieving clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful, or CHAMP, elections in the Province.
These include a voters’ education campaign in schools, training of volunteer poll watchers, and actively promoting the signing of peace covenants among candidates, and the holding of candidates’ forum to raise the level of consciousness of voters, and even the candidates, towards the CHAMP polls.
Of late, the Roman Catholic Church has unleashed its anger at people who have voiced approval for the Reproductive Health Bill. It is no secret that the Diocese of Dumaguete, through a Pastoral Letter that is read in pulpits all over the Diocese, denounced Rep. Josy Limkaichong for voting in favor of the RH Law, and is calling on all faithful not to vote for her.
It can be argued, of course, that the Church has every right to take a stand on political issues. The right of the Church to make a stand on an issue is not the case in point. And whoever the Church wants to vote for or against is also not the case in point.
In expressing its stand, the Church has removed its cloak of neutrality, and has made itself an active political player in this election.
Politicians who supported the RH Bill, in this case Rep. Limkaichong, would now look silly complaining to the DEB for perceived violations of election laws by their opponents. Whose interests will the DEB now protect?
Despite its professed good intentions, the DEB has been rendered obsolete by the Church. It may as well find other meaningful causes.
