A Vote for Life

It’s election season once again and the campaign period has officially started almost two weeks ago. Both traditional and social media are abuzz with reports and stories concerning the upcoming elections. A lot of commentaries have mentioned that this year’s elections is crucial given the current context of our country starting its exodus from the perils of the pandemic. While most of the candidates’ platforms center around economic and social recovery plans from the pandemic, I observed that focus on pro-life issues is taken aside, worse, taken to the backseat. While candidates are asked on their stance on pro-life issues like abortion, divorce and same-sex union during interviews, these are not given much media mileage; instead, shallow quibbles are highlighted. At times when candidates’ stance on pro-life issues are highlighted, these are meant to advance an agenda – to applaud liberalist and modernist principles and/or mock the Church and her conservative values. I’m not endorsing a candidate here, but as we choose our local and national leaders for the next 3 and 6 years, let’s use scrutinize them using a pro-life lens. What is his/her stand on abortion? On divorce? Or euthanasia? On the use of artificial contraceptives? On SOGIE issues? Yes, it is important for a candidate to have the adequate, if not, exceptional experience, credibility and competence, but let us not forget that above all, a leader must respect life as God has designed it. For if a leader respects life, he will give his all to make …

While most of the candidates’ platforms center around economic and social recovery plans from the pandemic, I observed that focus on pro-life issues is taken aside, worse, taken to the backseat. While candidates are asked on their stance on pro-life issues like abortion, divorce and same-sex union during interviews, these are not given much media mileage; instead, shallow quibbles are highlighted. At times when candidates’ stance on pro-life issues are highlighted, these are meant to advance an agenda – to applaud liberalist and modernist principles and/or mock the Church and her conservative values.

I’m not endorsing a candidate here, but as we choose our local and national leaders for the next 3 and 6 years, let’s use scrutinize them using a pro-life lens. What is his/her stand on abortion? On divorce? Or euthanasia? On the use of artificial contraceptives? On SOGIE issues? Yes, it is important for a candidate to have the adequate, if not, exceptional experience, credibility and competence, but let us not forget that above all, a leader must respect life as God has designed it. For if a leader respects life, he will give his all to make our society a God-fearing one; in turn, a God-fearing society is a society that will be blessed. This is promised in the Psalms – “Blessed in the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as his inheritance (Psalms 33:12)”.

In the end, what are our leaders for if our society is dead, or to borrow the title of the viral series – all of us are dead?

It’s time to uphold the beauty and importance of life by choosing leaders that gives supreme value to the sanctity of life and ensuring that national policies and actions are geared towards upholding the dignity of life. Let’s make that vote for life this coming May elections.