Voice of the people should prevail in polls: Sec. Roxas

CALBAYOG CITY – “Election process is the core of democracy and the center of President Benigno Aquino III’s ‘Kayo ang Boss,’” according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Roxas described the peace covenant signing done at the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, this city, last Sunday attended by 93 candidates from various positions, from provincial, congressional, and city electoral seats.

Roxas added that the voice of the people should prevail during elections by declaring those whom they had voted for.

“This way we can send message that we can have a peaceful, orderly and meaningful election,” Roxas said.

He added that in order to achieve this, the government is doing all it can to ensure that the forthcoming electorate process will be orderly and those who will be declared as winners are the one truly voted by the people.

Roxas added that the government force will not be used in violating or disrespecting people’s voice in the electoral process.

Moreover, Calbayog Diocese Bishop Isabelo Abarquez called for voters not to be persuaded by politicians who use illegal acts during elections. He also called for politicians to be truthful and honest during election campaign by not engaging into illegal acts, maligning their fellow candidates and vote buying.

The bishop stressed that he is not endorsing any candidates comes the May 13, 2013 polls.

“Please give peace and love a chance… in our heart and in our community,” Bishop Abarquez requested all those who attended the Mass before the peace covenant signing.

“As Election Day is near I call upon you prevent all the wrongdoing happens every election day in our country and to have a truly free conduct of choosing our candidates,” he added.

Furthermore, the two strong contenders in the provincial position of Samar province, Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Rosa Jessica Uy-Delgado said that they truly support the peace covenant signing manifesting in their presence at the venue.

“But I only hope that this will not stop in the signing and during election no untoward incident or election related crime would happen,” Tan said.

Uy-Delgado, daughter of slain Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy, said that their presence in the covenant signing showed that they support peace and orderly elections.

“This would also dismiss reports that my family is protector of private armed groups which they always link to us every election period,” Delgado said. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)