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Monday, April 09, 2007
Guv lauds bishop on campaign v. 'vote-buying'
By Marna H. Dagumboy
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid on Sunday commended Bishop Pablo "Ambo" David for courageously speaking against "vote buying" when he urged parishioners not to pick bets engaged in the illegal and immoral practice of gaining votes.
David, parish priest of the Lord's Ascension Parish in the city, issued the statement during the Easter Sunday mass where he asked his non-partisan parishioners to join the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in its crusade against illegal practices of election campaign.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
"I have also been informed by highly reliable sources that many parish priests who speak against candidates connected with jueteng have received death threats. These priests deserve the gratitude of all those who are trying to protect the integrity of the election process," said the governor.
Lapid, who has repeatedly pledged not to use "guns, goons and gold" in his campaign, said he has received persistent reports that a certain gubernatorial candidate has been handing out as much as P3,000 to public school teachers in the city and in other municipalities of the province.
David, however, made special mention of the "exemplary public school teachers" of the Sindalan National High School who reportedly refused to accept money offered by the unscrupulous gubernatorial candidate.
"I have full trust and confidence in the majority of our public school teachers. While I have received the same reports that Bishop David did, I still have high hopes that those teachers who will be appointed chairmen or members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) will perform their duties without fear or favor," Lapid said.
"However, we will closely watch every precinct and we will not hesitate to file charges against any member of the BEI who is engaged in prohibited acts," he said.
Before the Holy Week, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto issued a pastoral letter asking Kapampangans to beware of candidates engaged in massive vote buying.
Lapid also stressed the need for non-partisan citizens of Pampanga to get actively involved in the PPCRV "as a way of ensuring clean, honest and peaceful elections." (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila.
(April 9, 2007 issue)
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Cardinal's Easter message: Watch your votes