Archdiocese denies Cebu prelate endorsed any candidate

The Archdiocese of Cebu has denied that Archbishop Jose Palma was endorsing any candidate in Eleksyon 2025.

In a statement, the archdiocese referred to posters that showed a photo of a candidate with the prelate. The posters also had the words, "Thank you, Arch. Jose Palma."

The Cebu archdiocese has called for the immediate removal of the posters.

“We wish to inform the public that the Cebu Archbishop is not endorsing any political candidate, whether at the local or national level. Neither has the Archbishop allowed any of his priests to use the pulpit to promote or defend any political party or candidate,” the statement read.

The Cebu archdiocese said the posters exposed Palma to sanctions under the Omnibus Election Code Section 261 (Prohibited Acts), as the posters will indirectly influence voters in the archdiocese to vote for a particular candidate.

It added that Palma’s photo was used without his consent.

“This violates the rights of the Archbishop under R.A. 10173, known as the Data Privacy Act, which requires informed consent in the processing of personal data,” the statement read. –NB, GMA Integrated News

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