Together We Stand

How much can be accomplished when people gather to take action?
By: Ruth M. Floresca

The May 14 election has come and gone, but the fire of determination to effect changes in the system has just begun. Since early this year, the Christian Convergence for Good Governance (CCGG), together with various non-government office (NGO) partners, has been tirelessly conducting Voters’ Education Programs (VEP) in different churches and communities all over the Philippines.

An overwhelming response was seen in the way pastors and congregations took to heart what they learned and purposely shared these with others through resourceful means. In a focus group discussion held in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) Calauan, Laguna last May 28, pastors from this province tell their inspiring stories.

Beyond the walls of the church

On May 9, 2007, just a few days before Election Day, Pastor Armando “Ding” Panlilio of Pangil, Laguna and 14 other pastors invited the candidates in their area to a gathering at a resort. Three political parties came represented by their candidates for mayor, vice mayor and councilors. Members of different congregations were also present.

“Gusto namin silang mapakinggan na wala sila sa mga lugar ng pangangampanya,” [We wanted to hear them speak in a neutral, non-campaigning environment], narrates Pastor Ding. “Kasi iba ang sinasabi nila kapag nasa plaza at iba din sa mga pastor o mga taong alam nilang pumipili ng may standard. ‘Pag sa lansangan, kahit ano ang sinasabi nila para makahiyakat.” [Because what they say in the plaza is different when facing pastors or individuals whom they knew are choosing based on standards. On the streets, they will say anything just to convince people.]

The organizers also noticed that the politicians appeared uncomfortable eating the food they had prepared. “Kasi sanay sila na nagpapakain, na sila ang gumagastos kaya kakaiba ang naging karanasan nila noong araw na iyon,” [They were used to being the ones who spend to feed people but it was a different experience for them that day,] surmises Pastor Ding. He adds that on the night of the election, no incidences of vote buying were heard of. “Maaring nahiya sila sa sarili nila.” [Maybe they felt ashamed of themselves.] Pastor Ding suggests though that in succeeding elections, VEPs should also be conducted elsewhere, not only in the churches.
Similarly, Pastor Norberto “Bert” Formaran, his congregation and other Christian groups in Lumban, organized a gathering of all candidates from the three political parties in their town plaza. “Mga 500 katao ang dumating, kasama na ang mga taga-simbahan at taga-suporta ng mga kandidato.” [Around 500 people came including those from the churches and the candidates’ supporters.] As a result, election in their town was more peaceful compared to past years.

He also divulges how, after learning of election do’s and don’ts, members of his congregation returned back money and gifts that candidates gave them. “Nabaligtad ang sitwasyon dahil nalinawan ang mga tao na hindi dapat suportahan ang bumibili ng boto.” [The situation was reversed because people learned that one should not support those who buy votes.]
Members of the ministry, of their own initiative, had 4000 copies printed of the reading material on who to vote for. “May member kasing may imprenta. Naipamigay yang mga kopya sa buong bayan ng Lumban at lahat ng members ay tumulong,” [We have a member who owns a printing press. All church members helped in giving out copies to our whole town of Lumban,] says Pastor Bert.

Heads of churches in action

Pastor James Olubalang of Bay, Laguna is grateful that he was able to help his congregation make wise voting decisions. “Namigay kami ng mga babasahin ukol sa batayan ng pagpili ng kandidato,” [We gave out reading materials on the criteria in choosing candidates,] he describes. “Hindi ako specifically nage-endorse ng pangalan pero sini-share ko ang mga qualities na dapat hanapin. Ang mga kandidato, kapag nalaman ang ginagawa namin, mas nag-iingat sila.” [I didn’t specifically endorse any names but only shared the qualities that voters should look for. The candidates, once they knew what we were doing, were more careful.]
“Sana tuloy-tuloy na ang project na ito,” [I hope this project will continue,] he expresses. “Kasi may pagbabago sa congregation. Na-challenge silang bumoto!” [Because there were changes in the congregation. They were challenged to vote!]

Pastor Manolo “Noli” Beronio who heads the Mabitac Baptist Church acknowledges how useful the ISAAC pamphlet Sino ang hindi dapat iboto [Who Should You Not Vote For] was. “Nalaman nila yung mga bawal sa eleksyon,” [They learned what should not be done during elections,] he tells of his congregation. He shares a story about a congressional candidate who offered items for the church which they refused and proudly reveals, “ang importante hindi kami nag-compromise.” [the important thing is, we didn’t compromise.]

He goes on to reveal how his wife wanted to vote for a candidate because the man has fliers saying ‘Mahal ko kayo [I love you all], God bless’ “Pero nanunuhol naman!” [But he bribes people!] amid much laughter from the other pastors present. Unfortunately, the candidate won but Pastor Noli is hopeful that in coming years, politicians who are genuine in their faith in God will be the ones to win.

In another Laguna town, Pastor Rey Madrigal and 14 other pastors reminded their congregations not to approach any politician to ask for something for the church. One and two days before the elections, they requested an audience with the mayoralty candidates on separate occasions. Both parties were full of plans to beautify their town but none on spiritual aspects. The pastors appealed that they be given a slot to speak at the municipal hall once a week. “Puro pari at katoliko lang kasi,” [Only priests and Catholics were given slots,] reveals Pastor Rey. They are optimistic that this year, they will also be given a chance to share the word of God with municipal employees.

Paete-based Pastor Jayson Caoros expresses his willingness to support future meetings and plans of the VEP. “Para maituro ko sa mga tao. Kapag kasi church ang nagturo, naniniwala ang marami na walang nasa likod nito,” [So that I can help educate more people. When the church teaches, people believe that nobody is behind it with a hidden agenda.]

Formation of a new group

Armed with the inspiration from the new learnings they received from the VEP, pastors from all over Laguna formed the Laguna Alliance for Good Governance (LAGG). “Noong nabuo ang LAGG, nagkaroon ako ng inputs. Lahat ng natutunan ko sa VEP, naibahagi ko sa mga pastor at pulitiko. May mga pulitiko pa ngang sumang-ayon na maganda ito at sana daw ay matagal nang ginawa,” [When LAGG was formed, I got more inputs. Everything I learned from the VEP, I shared with pastors and politicians alike. There were politicians who even agreed that this is a good program and that this should have been done earlier,] shares Pastor Roman Oliva, who was one of LAGG’s founders.

In Sta. Maria Laguna where his church is located, Pastor Roman and others distributed 2000 copies of VE fliers. One of the impacts he saw in his town was the lack of violence during the elections. “Nagsisimula pa lang tayo at hindi dapat matapos doon,” [We have just started and it should not stop there,] he says. Pastor Roman is confident that things will get even better when more and more voters are educated. “Bulag kasi ang tao dahil nangangailangan sila kaya kailangan nating kumilos lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar.” [People are blinded by their needs that’s why we need to take action and seek them out in especially those who are in isolated areas.]

Pastor Niel Ramirez of Siniloan affirms of the VEP, “Kung magagawa ito lagi, hindi magagamit ng mga pulitiko ang mga tao.” [If this is done regularly, politicians won’t be able to use people for their own ends.]

Pastor Gerard Bejusano of Sta. Cruz concludes that around 150 pastors in Laguna benefited from the project. “Nagkaroon kami ng kanya- kanyang applications pero hindi namin kaya ng wala ang CCGG,” [We each had our own personal applications but we would not have done it if not for CCGG,] he accedes. “Sana lang makagawa ng income-generating projects ang church na walang tulong galing sa pulitiko. Para magkaroon ng karapatan ang simbahan na humingi ng mga pagbabago.” [I just hope we can come up with income-generating projects without any politician’s help. So that the church will have rights to demand changes.]

“Sana din lahat ng mga naturuan ngayong 2007, kikilos na para sa magandang patutunguhan ng bayan,” [I also trust that all those who were educated on Voters’ Rights this year will continue working towards a better country,] adds Pastor Roman.

With pastors like them and other members of the Christian community who generously contributed in effecting change in their own small ways through the help of the VEP, surely a greater Philippines will not be long in coming.