“We vote on a Monday; we go to mass on Sunday,” Manhit told us, stressing that the Church then gets to give “the last bulong” as voters go to the polls. Unfortunately for our weak democracy, the last bulong can in fact be given late on Sunday night when all the anticipated masses are over, or even on Monday, election day itself. The bulong or whisper is given by candidates’ local leaders – often barangay personnel, even if they are barred by law from engaging in partisan activities – after they have handed out cash, rice, medicine packs, canned goods and other items. In any case, if Cardinal Sin’s bulong didn’t work on the electorate, it worked to mobilize people power against Marcos. The upcoming elections could indicate if the Church would have the last laugh, after giving the last bulong.

Source: Philippine Star January 13, 2019 16:00 UTC