A Catholic bishop has given his ‘blessing’ to a lay discernment initiative supporting the candidacy of Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan said Tuesday that he appreciates the “collective discernment” made by the lay people in his diocese to push for “principled politics”.

“My dear laity, you have my blessing and I thank the Lord that you have taken this initiative because in the realm of politics you are the frontliners,” said David, who is also the president of the Philippine bishops’ conference.

The bishop made the statement after a Mass with the leaders of Kalookan Laity for Principled Politics (KLAPP) who held their first general assembly on Feb. 8.

After their discernment, they submitted to David their decision to support Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan.

The organization also agreed to endorse all the senatorial candidates under Robredo’s slate.

David said the country’s political situation calls the laity to be actively involved not just in efforts for clean and orderly elections but also the promotion of principled politics.

Aside from poll watching, he stressed the need for laypeople to also “help the candidates who represent principled politics and who will promote the common good in our society”.

“It is not right to shun politics and only associate politics with bad politics. Our issue now is morality and truth,” David pointed out.

“It would be a great sin against God that in matters of good and evil, truth and falsehood, you are neutral. To be neutral means that you support evil.”

“It is not right to be neutral when truth and the country’s future are at stake,” he added.

The discernment process also involved various organizations from different sectors and leaders of other Christian churches.

The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in the Philippines earlier unequivocally declared their support for Robredo’s candidacy.

The congregation also said they are supporting the other candidates in her team “who stand for the same platforms and manifest the same love and respect for God and the Filipino people”.

“We pledge to collaborate with other institutions, groups, and individuals from all faiths and walks of life to make our dream and desire for a better Philippines a reality,” they said.