Vote-buying a ‘social sin’, Church reminds voters

Catholic Church officials joined their voices to the appeal by the Commission on Elections (Comelec)  to voters not to engage in vote-buying yesterday, saying it is a “social sin.”

Cebu Provincial Election Officer Ferdinand Gujilde admitted they have a hard time addressing vote-buying due to the absence of witnesses.

“Vote-buying involves collusion between the buyer and seller. It’s definitely hard to prove, prosecute, and even eliminate,” he said during a seminar for members of the local media at the Archbishops’ Residence yesterday.

He urged the electorate to help the Comelec go after those involved in vote-buying.

“Voters should know that the election is a political exercise and not an economic activity,” Gujilde said.

The best way to address vote-buying, he said, is to educate voters.

Msgr. Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese said the Church is doing its best to reach out and help voters make decisions with an informed conscience.

“Vote-buying is a social sin because it affects not just one person but society,” he said.

Tan said Church-based groups like the Dilaab Foundation Inc. is preparing for an uphill battle against massive vote-buying and other problems encountered in  the election season.

Although they won’t endorse specific candidates, Tan said priests can present guidelines on the qualities of a good leader to voters.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday appointed Tan as the spokesperson of the  Cebu Citizens Involvement and Maturation for People Empowerment and Liberation or C-CIMPEL.

Also present during the seminar organized by C-Cimpel were Executive Justice Gabriel Ingles, IT consultant Max Limpag, and C-Cimpel executive director Marilu Chiongbian.