Monday, July 26, 2004
Catholic Church forms body to study election fraud
ALTHOUGH the May 10 polls were said to be generally peaceful, the bishops are still concerned about reports from their volunteers and other groups about allegations of election fraud.
That’s why an ad hoc committee will be created to study the allegations, such as rampant buying and selling of votes, violence and killings, the disenfranchisement of voters and other irregularities.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Fernando Capalla announced the committee’s creation in a statement on peace, unity and renewal during the CBCP’s 89th Plenary Assembly.
Capalla, however, explained that the investigation is only “for our internal reference with the objective of looking at the future conduct of our elections and how dioceses may be better prepared to safeguard the integrity of elections.”
“Any charges by political parties or evidence of irregularities during the elections, the bishops believe, go beyond our competence to judge and should be forwarded to the proper courts or electoral tribunals for legal action,” said Capalla, who is also the archbishop of Davao.
The bishops, during the assembly last July 10 and 11, reviewed the conduct of the May 10 elections and the consequences for country’s future.
Each bishop, including Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Ricardo Vidal, was asked to comment on whether or not massive fraud was committed in the elections in their archdioceses.
With only one or two exceptions, the rest of the bishops answered in the negative.
Not widespread
This, Capalla said, only confirmed his June 1 statement “that there were some instances of cheating and violations of elections law by political parties in their areas but these did not affect the voting in general.”
“It is the view of the bishops that the results of the elections reflected the will of the Filipino people,” Capalla said.
Now that the elections have ended, the prelate called on the faithful “to develop a culture of integrity, to participate in national transformation, to build up the conditions for peace, to intensify our fight against corruption and to monitor the performance of our elected officials.”
Doing these, Capalla said, will take a long process. In this regard, Capalla declared Aug. 15 as a Day of Prayer for Peace, National Unity and Renewal.
The declaration also coincided with the national launching of the Eucharistic and Marian Year with the theme, “Celebrating the Eucharist with Mary.” JST
(July 26, 2004 issue)
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