Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera urged Catholic leaders to prepare Filipinos' conscience for the 2028 presidential polls. He made the call in a speech at the 13th National Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Davao City. He emphasized that societal change must begin with a change of heart.
Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), told Catholic leaders to prepare the “conscience of Filipinos” for the 2028 presidential polls. Speaking at the 13th National Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Davao City, he said, “If we want to change society, it must begin within us. No reform will succeed without a change of heart.”
Garcera asked leaders to adopt the “Katipunan for Good Governance” framework promoted by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas. “I urge our regional officers to take the initiative in contacting Archbishop Soc Villegas to implement the Katipunan for Good Governance program across our councils. By integrating his guidance and this strategic framework, we can align our fraternal values with civic responsibility,” he stated. The initiative aims to foster integrity, civic responsibility, and active citizenship ahead of the 2028 elections.
The Knights of Columbus is the country’s largest Catholic lay organization, with more than 600,000 members in the Philippines. Garcera stressed that being a Herald of Hope means a call to conversion, family renewal, and commitment to good governance. He noted families face challenges like broken relationships, economic pressures, migration, digital distractions, and weakening faith, urging Church leaders to engage closely with municipalities and scrutinize resolutions contrary to life and family.