Filipino Prelate to Young People: “Choose Leaders who still Need the Lord”

A Filipino archbishop urged the youth to be more mindful in choosing future leaders amid the “severe political noise” happening in the Philippines.

“Choose leaders who still need the Lord,” said Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas. “Choose leaders who respect human rights, and serve families and the disadvantaged genuinely, for the common good. Use your political responsibility with truthfulness, not because of manipulation or fear.”

In a pastoral letter published on April 15, the archbishop said that it is time for the Filipinos to realize that they have made an “epic fail” on voting for the wrong leaders.

Archbishop Villegas said that rumors surrounding the health of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the ongoing impeachment process of Vice President Sara Duterte, ghost flood control projects, the oil crisis, and rampant issues regarding drugs and gambling have pushed Filipinos into a “burnout phase.”

“It is tempting to become spiritually ‘homeless’,  where you move from one viral outrage to another, waiting for a ‘savior’ or someone who will fix things that have collapsed,” he said.

Therefore, the prelate reminded the youth to take action and align their conscience to truth and enlightenment, even if they are “bombarded with manipulation.”

“The Church teaches us to discern our conscience, especially if you are constantly exposed to toxic vibes that tempt you to believe in your own ‘truth’ instead of true teaching,” he said.

“In other words: the enemy of truth is not just the corrupt in power… but also how easily we gaslight ourselves to assume that our confusion is ‘wisdom,’” he also said.

Archbishop Villegas called on the youth to vote for deserving leaders of the country “by checking their inner selves” and “not riding on the hype.”

“Leaders are not saviours,” he said. “They only mirror the contents of our hearts. If you desire ‘safety’ but disregard justice, ‘victory’ but set aside truth, or ‘comfort’ but tolerate oppression… You are still making the wrong choice.”

In closing, the archbishop encouraged the youth to draw strength from God alone so they can become “faithful citizens” who favor leaders dedicated to the common good.

Later this year, on November 2, the Philippines will hold its Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, wherein positions for the smallest administrative division in the country will be filled.

The next presidential elections will be held in 2028.