By Eva Visperas
LINGAYEN-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has issued a pastoral letter calling on young voters to stay vigilant, think critically, and reject political manipulation amid the country’s current socio-political climate.
The message released on April 15, 2026, directly addressed Generation Z, urging them to resist disinformation, short-term political incentives, and what he described as the culture of normalizing corruption.
“Don’t get budol’d again,” the archbishop warned, urging young voters to learn from past electoral choices. “It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s holy to forgive—but repeating the same mistake is another matter,” he added.
In the letter, Villegas pointed to rising fuel prices, shrinking wages, and a surge of “political noise” dominating public discourse. He cited rumors about the President’s health, impeachment tensions, controversies over flood-control funds, and the influence of illegal gambling and drug syndicates as signs of a troubling national climate.
He cautioned that small government aid should not distract citizens from larger issues of accountability. “We are being made ‘delulu’ by small handouts while the receipts of corruption grow,” he said.
Villegas stressed that politics and personal morality cannot be separated, describing conscience as the “secret core” where individuals discern right from wrong.
“When leadership fails, that is when every citizen is tested,” he wrote. “What will you do with the freedom given to you?,” he asked.
He warned against fake news, selective outrage, and tribal politics, saying these pressures tempt citizens to replace truth with convenience. “The enemy of truth is not only corrupt leaders,” he said, adding that, “It is also our tendency to justify what is wrong and call it ‘strategy’ or ‘wisdom.’”
The archbishop reminded citizens that government authority carries the duty to uphold human rights, promote justice, and prioritize families and the disadvantaged. Failure to do so, he said, is “a deep moral wound to the common good.”
He challenged young voters to examine their motivations when voting. “What do you really worship when you vote?” he asked.
Villegas urged voters to reject personality-driven politics and instead support leaders and policies rooted in truth, justice, and service.
The letter ended with a message of hope and responsibility: “Draw strength from the Lord and let your conscience—truthful, informed, and courageous—guide your choices.”