CBCP warns against fake election endorsement letter

The office of Kalookan Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David has declared a letter circulating online, which falsely claims the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines is endorsing senatorial candidates, to be fake.

The warning addressed copies of the fake letter that were supposedly signed by David.

"Sorry, but we don't make such endorsements," David wrote on his personal page on Saturday.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Kalookan reminded the public to check information before sharing. "Let's all be responsible and help stop the spread of disinformation."

Meanwhile, CBCP secretary general Msgr. Bernardo Pantin disavowed the letter. He asked the public to "exercise discernment when reading such social media posts."

"The Church does not endorse specific candidates. It only offers guidelines to help the faithful make informed choices based on moral and social teachings. If names of candidates are mentioned in supposed Church endorsements, consider them false or misleading," he added.

The fake letter was made to look authentic, adopting the format of a pastoral message to “Brothers and Sisters in Christ” and adding Bible verses from multiple translations.

It proceeded to present a list of individuals purportedly "[commended] to the discernment of the faithful" by the CBCP.

The upcoming midterm elections are happening on Monday, May 12.