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Saturday, May 08, 2004
Church will lead guard v. poll fraud
MANILA -- Elections or no elections, a group that commits to guard the future of the country vowed to make the May 10 polls an honest, orderly and peaceful one.
Led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales and Cebu's Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, the Coalition for Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections launched Friday "Operation Tutok" aimed at ensuring no violence and fraud will take place in Monday's local and national polls.
Meanwhile, President Arroyo has widened her lead over opposition candidate Fernando Poe Jr. by seven percent two days before Monday's elections.
An SWS survey commissioned by ABS-CBN, Polistrat International and Manila Standard showed that Arroyo got 37 percent of the vote compared to the 30 percent of Poe in the May 1 to 4 survey.
The survey reported a 2.5 percent margin of error and showed that the percentage of voters who are still undecided has been increasing.
In the last SWS survey, Sen. Panfilo Lacson placed third with 11 percent, Raul Roco Sr. with six percent, Bro. Eddie Villanueva with four percent.
The ratings in the previous survey conducted in April 10 to 17 are: Arroyo, 35.3 percent; Poe, 31 percent; Lacson, 10.6 percent; Raul Roco, 8.4 percent and Villanueva, 4 percent.
Determined
Former Trade and Industry undersecretary Ernesto Ordonez assured that even without reports of massive cheating in the elections, they will do their part in guarding the people's ballots.
Under the scheme, archbishops and bishops will mobilize their parish priests and lay organizations.
One additional person will be assigned in every precinct to assist watchdog groups Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the National Citizen's Movement for Free Elections.
The volunteers will ensure accurate poll count; proper handling, transporting and reporting of certificates of election from the precincts to the municipalities; and help in the effective performance of the PPCRV and Namfrel, especially for the presidential and vice-presidential vote canvassing.
God-fearing
"We want a nation-fearing God," Rosales declared. "We want a nation that will embody the aspirations of our people."
Rosales added the electorate should not vote for candidates who use deceptive means, like peddling lies, because they will divide the country.
He will concelebrate a 12 noon mass on Sunday at the San Agustin church in Intramuros, Manila to be attended by the presidential candidates and other national and local bets.
Vidal also joined Rosales in calling on all bishops and archbishops of the country to participate in "Operation Tutok".
Vidal, Friday expressed grave fears for democracy after the church was contacted by a group of unnamed colonels who alleged attempts were underway to rig the polls.
"Don't let thieves, cheaters and liars win," Vidal said, appealing to priests across the mainly Catholic archipelago to act as election monitors.
Ordonez said Coalition of Hope exists not to pinpoint cheaters but to prevent fraud.
"We don't care about the identities of the cheaters or if there is truth to reports about massive cheating. What we want to do is prevent the repercussions of cheating," Ordonez said.
"If they know the people are watching, they would think twice about committing irregularities."
The government has warned that militants from the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah groups can be planning bomb attacks to disrupt Monday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.
The country has also been gripped by rumors and unsubstantiated allegations of coups and counter-coups in the run-up to the polls.
Credible info
President Arroyo, on the other hand, cancelled all plans for a "miting de avance" following fears that another Plaza Miranda bombing would occur.
Michael Defensor, presidential campaign spokesman, said aside from Arroyo's safety, they also took into consideration the safety and security of those who would attend the event.
He said they gave weight to the warning of National Secretary Adviser Norbeto Gonzales of a planned junta, including "Oplan: Aklas Bayan," which aims to undermine the integrity and credibility of the May 10 elections by means of black propaganda, sabotage and violence.
The plan, which was discussed during the recent Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security meeting includes coordinated protest actions by civilians and military personnel and attacks on gatherings and political events.
Defensor belied that Malacaņang was behind the supposed plot, adding that it was based on credible intelligence information.
But just to be safe, he said the administration would not push through with the coalition's "miting de avance" initially set at 9 p.m. Friday.
JMR/PNA/AFP
(May 8, 2004 issue)
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