Bishop Socrates Mesiona took aim at politicians who are trying to buy plebiscite to split Palawan into three provinces.

In a radio interview Friday, the church official lamented the vote buying that had reportedly been going on days before tomorrow’s plebiscite.

He urged the voters not to sell their votes, reminding them that such an electoral exercise is “sacred”.

“May we protect this right because it is for our good, for our people, and for our beloved province of Palawan,” Mesiona told Radio Veritas.

The bishop then called on Palawan residents to go out and vote in the March 13 plebiscite.

Mesiona has earlier called for “circles of discernment” in parishes to discuss this “very important matter that will have a big impact on our lives in the future”.

“I ask that when we go to the plebiscite this coming Saturday, we have already made a principled decision that will benefit the majority and not just the few,” he said.