Election surveys may be used as propaganda tool–pabillo

AN official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the faithful to be wary of the pollrelated surveys for being propaganda tools.

Cbcp-episcopal Commission on the Laity Chairman Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo said the commissioned surveys are a form of mind conditioning from some aspiring candidates.

“Instead of considering the surveys let us be influenced by the Word of God. It has a lot to tell us about leadership, even political leadership,” Pabillo said during his homily last Sunday,

He noted voters should consider voting for candidates in the 2022 National and Local Elections who will have similar leadership skills of Jesus Christ, who know the needs of the people by being with them.

“We need leaders who are moved by the dire situations of the people. We need leaders who have mercy and compassion and not promote ‘Kill! Kill! Kill!’ In fact, because Jesus had compassion he forgot his own need of rest,” Pabillo said.

“To offer oneself for the others: this is also the kind of leadership we need; the sacrifice of self-interest for the sake of the people,” he added.

Pabillo issued the statement after a Pulse Asia release the result of its latest survey last week, which showed Presidential daughter and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte leading among potential candidates for president in the 2022 polls.

The same survey revealed her father, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, as a top contender for the vice presidential race next year.

The survey was conducted last June 7 to 16 and covered 2,400 respondents.