MANILA - Filipino bishops offered their prayers for the winning candidates in the 2016 national and local elections as well as a consoling message to those who lost.

In a statement, Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), reminded candidates of their responsibility to serve and care for the weakest and the most distressed like children, women who are exploited, and marginalized indigenous peoples.

"To those who have been voted to office, we assure them of our prayers, principally for wisdom, that they may discern God's will for his people and courageously do as he bids," the prelate said.

"God's hand is to be recognized in the events of history. Credit then your victory, neither to fame nor popularity, but to God."

To those who were not elected, the bishop said there is so much more than the positions which they had aspired for, and that there are still many ways to serve the people.

"To those who did not succeed, you, as persons, as sons and daughters of God, are infinitely so much more than the positions after which you aspired," he said.

"Rather than becoming despondent and discouraged, you should challenge yourselves by asking how it is that the Risen Lord sends you 'to make disciples of all nations.'"

The bishop also took note of those who criticized the Church for "interfering" in politics. Villegas clarified that it was never the intention of the bishops to impose upon the faithful.

"But it would be a denial of Christ's universal lordship were we to desist from reminding his disciples of what fidelity to him -- in all things, including political life -- demands," he added.

Last May 1, the CBCP urged voters to "reject a morally reprehensible candidate," an apparent swipe at leading presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte

READ: CBCP to voters: 'Reject morally reprehensible bet'

And now that the election season is coming to a close, the CBCP promised that it would collaborate with the new government.

It also urged the people to support the government for the good of all, and to admonish and correct it should the situation call for it.