As the May elections draw near, a Catholic archbishop emphasized the importance of both the intention and qualifications of political candidates, saying that these factors are key to ensuring “good politics.”
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu said that leaders must not only be well-intentioned but also properly prepared for public office.
“The intention of the politician should be in the service of real peace for the people. Anything less than service is certainly not a very good intention, Palma said.
“Are they prepared either because of their training or education? We also ask that because we (think) that’s important,” he said.
The archbishop made the statement during a homily at a Mass held at his residence’s chapel on Jan. 12 for the volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in the Cebu archdiocese.
The Mass is part of the “Prayer Power Journey for Election”, a national campaign launched by the PPCRV in December 2024. The initiative will run through Election Day on May 12.
Palma echoed the teachings of Pope Francis, who emphasized that politics should serve the cause of peace and the common good.
“As the pope says, politics (must be) for the service of real peace for the people,” he added.
The 74-year-old archbishop, a key figure in the vote-rich province of Cebu, expressed hope that candidates seeking public office should possess both the right intentions and the necessary qualifications to lead effectively.
“We do believe that leaders are very important, and politics (is meant to be) at the service of peace,” he said. “But both the intentions and the credentials should also the there.”
