religious votes

well personally i dont think that there is such thing as religious vote but for sure there is popularity vote and it works all the time.

honestly and with all due respect, i do not think Catholics or other sects in our country has a solid vote so to speak when it comes to Philippine elections. It's only the " Iglesia ni Kristo" that has some sort of reign when it comes to this, again pardon me .

it does look like an endorsement to me, i agree with you that is not like what they are saying that is far from not endorsing someone at all.

Good thing that Catholic faith reiterated that they are encouraging a religious vote since I think that kills the essence of separation of the church and the state and the exercise freedom of choice. But it now looks like some clergy of the Catholic church is heavily endorsing some political figures already like the one they say as team buhay and team patay. I think they should not be mentioning names if they are really endorsing a "vote according to conscience" doctrine.

I do think that people endorse/vote a candidate who has helped them personally. Regardless of those candidates having a bad reputation, but if these candidates gave some people a favor or two, then theses candidates would surely win.

You may not believe me but there certainly is a religious vote in the Philippines. I belong to a sect where members are given a list of candidates we should vote for. The list is oftentimes distributed 2 or 3 days before the elections. This list is closely anticipated by media and usually appears in the national papers a few days before the elections. Political aspirants who find their names in the list have a guarantee of millions of votes from the members of our religious group. You may or may not believe me but the majority follow the list even if sometimes it is against our better judgement. Voting as one is part of our faith.

Its not that its inappropriate but I do not agree with those acts for every individual should be accountable to his actions and should have his/her own bet and standards in choosing a candidate. Exercising that religious votes seems to take away democracy but then again, its their way of practicing unity in their respective faith and I strongly believe we can't help but respect all of those things.