The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) has released its Elections Guidelines for members in line with the elections in 2010.

Bishop Efraim Tendero, PCEC National Director, said the guidelines “provide standards for those who wish to campaign for or against a particular candidate or remain non-partisan.”

“As a policy, PCEC maintains that as a body we will not endorse nor campaign for a candidate but will instead be involved in voters’ education,” said Tendero.

Below is a copy of the guidelines for the partisan and non-partisan members:

PARTISAN:
1. Do it on the basis of sincerity or conscience and not personal gains.
2. Respect those who are non-partisan and those who are campaigning for other candidates.
3. Focus on party platform of government, track records of public service rather than on personalities of candidates. Should you decide to actively campaign for a specific candidate, form your own campaign group and campaign activities. Do not use the pulpit, church activities and pastoral movement for this purpose.
4. Avoid misrepresentation. No bluffing and name-dropping. Be truthful. Avoid overselling, labeling and character assassination and unfounded expose.
5. Practice accountability, responsibility and transparency with regards to campaign funds.

NON-PARTISAN:
1. Do not to take any benefits, promises, giveaways, campaign materials from candidates.
2. Respect those who opt for partisan involvement. Focus on qualities and party platform of governance and track record of public service.
3. Consider conducting Voters’ Education and Candidates’ Forum, and helping forge Peace Covenant between political parties as you are in a better position to do so.
4. Actively advocate your non-partisan position and help Comelec and different election watchdogs.
5. Be discerning.
6. Welcome everyone in church; pray for candidates but let them speak only in a candidates’ forum.

Aside from partisan and non-partisan, PCEC also provided a guide to their members who are focused on issue advocacy (ISA). “ISA forces candidates to be more issue-focused, thus moving from personality to platform politics. This will be our most significant long-term contribution to RP political life, with impact beyond 2010 or even our lifetime,” said Tendero.

PCEC is the largest network of evangelical denominations, local churches and para-church and missions organizations in the country which seeks to disciple the Philippines for the Lord Jesus, and thereby help establish a society where peace, justice and righteousness reign; where everyone has a decent standard of living; and where Christ is recognized as Lord and Savior of all.