CEBU CITY – In an effort to help voters choose the best candidates in the May elections, Church-based anti-corruption group, Dilaab Foundation has launched Circles of Discernment for Elections (CiDE) a movement seeking to ensure credible elections by guiding the local electorate in selecting political bets based on conscience and proper judgement.

The movement was launched Wednesday last week with Jaro Bishop Angel Lagdameo, former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines at the Betania Retreat House in Lahug, this city.

Fr. Carmelo Diola, Coordinating Steward of Dilaab, which is also active in organizing spiritual activities for political aspirants, said during the CiDE launch that the movement will not only help voters but also candidates who will be given “laser questions” including concerns aired by the voting public.

Diola said that with the theme “Raising the tide CiDE by CiDE” the movement is designed to help ensure credible elections by guiding voters in properly discerning who the country’s next leaders will be.

“Candidates and voters can facilitate this discernment through a formulated laser question with the main subject “God fearing ka ba? Talaga?” explained Diola.

He further said that with conscience as the underutilized resource of the Church, the laser questions must be substantiated and manifested in proven integrity, genuine leadership and competence.

Diola also disclosed that the movement is expected to closely coordinate with various local organizations like the council of the laity and the media to come up with programs intended for good governance.

Meanwhile, prior to the launching of CiDe Jaro, Archbishop Lagdameo, who likewise attended the first national gathering of the CiDE said in an interview that the movement also coincides with the CBCP’s pastoral statement addressed to various groups involved in the elections including voters.

He quoted the pastoral statement for the candidates by saying that candidates should start serving the nation by being honest and sincere in educating the people on the situation of our country in their campaign.

The statement further reads that candidates should not campaign to manipulate the perceptions of the people but to help them make good choices for the sake of the country.

Also, in the same pastoral statement, voters, along with the Basic Ecclesial Communities and lay organizations were urged to exercise their right to vote wisely by following the criteria indicated various times in past pastoralletters.

The CiDE’s first national gathering last February 1 to 3 was joined by the Diocese of Kidapawan, Digos and Tandag; Diocese of Maasin, Parañaque and Tagbilaran; Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Lipa, Novaliches, San Fernando in Pampanga; Jaro, Cebu and Manila.