Philippines: Top Prelate Urges Voter Formation Ahead of 2028 Election

The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged the Church to help Catholics form their consciences and participate responsibly in the country’s political process ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa made the appeal during the 70th national assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies-Philippines in Tacloban City on August 19, according to CBCP News.

Archbishop Garcera said the Church should accompany Filipinos in forming consciences guided by faith, truth and human dignity, while avoiding political partisanship.

“A truly missionary Church does not impose political choices, but it helps the faithful discern wisely, participate responsibly, and promote the common good with a heart shaped by the Gospel,” Archbishop Garcera said.

He described voter formation as part of the Church’s broader missionary responsibility to engage social realities and accompany people in their daily lives.

Archbishop Garcera also called for a more outward-looking Church that reaches the poor, young people, marginalized communities and those who have drifted from the faith.

“Mission begins wherever we live, work, study, and serve,” he said, emphasizing that all baptized Catholics share responsibility for the Church’s missionary vocation.

Archbishop Garcera also highlighted the need to translate the Synod on Synodality into concrete life in Philippine dioceses.

The CBCP president said synodality should not be treated as another organizational program but as a way for the Church to listen, discern and journey together.

“The work of the Synod did not end with the publication of its Final Document,” he said. “The question before us is no longer simply, ‘What is synodality?’ but rather, ‘How shall we live it?’”

He called for a Church that forms consciences, encourages participation and promotes the common good while remaining firmly rooted in its missionary identity.

Archbishop Garcera also encouraged greater Filipino support for the Church’s global missionary work, pointing to the generosity of Catholic communities in countries such as South Korea and Japan despite their smaller Catholic populations.

He said the Philippine Church could contribute to the universal Church not only through its large Catholic population but also through migrants, volunteers, families and communities serving across borders.

Such contributions, he said, should be accompanied by renewed missionary zeal rather than an emphasis on simply preserving inherited traditions.