Filipinos urged to fast, pray for peaceful May elections

A CHURCH group has called on the Filipino people to fast, discern and pray, for honest, peaceful and credible elections in May.

In a statement, the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines said the unfolding events of recent weeks involving the actions of the present administration were all symptomatic of the president’s “desire to cling to power at all cost.”

“We see unfolding before our eyes what we have suspected – GMA’s desire to cling to power at all cost - her running for congress, her manipulation of the law to make her cohorts run for congress, the prostitution of the party list system to enable ridiculous representations like Mikey Arroyo representing the security guards, one of their relatives representing balut vendors, etc.,” the statement partly read.

The statement was signed by Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB and Fr. Jesus Malit, SSS, chairpersons of the associations of major superiors of religious women and religious men, respectively.

The religious body also expressed dismay on the inability of Comelec to act on the many problems hounding the Automated Election System.

It also criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the president to appoint the next Chief Justice even against the Constitution.

“The Supreme Court has done the unconscionable act – allowing Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to name the Supreme Court Chief Justice even against the Constitution and preceding decisions of the SC,” the statement said.

The recent events, according to the group, can lead to “the possibility of failed elections due to various technical causes; failure of proclamation of national candidates; transition government headed by GMA; massive undetectable electronic cheating; Junta; and Martial Law.”

Such possibilities, they said, call for “prayer and fasting, vigilance and commitment” from the people.

“We encourage our communities to undertake fasting and prayer. We call for discernment and action. Now more than ever, our people need the accompaniment of our religious brothers and sisters,” the group said.

Beginning April 9 to July 2, the AMRSP will sponsor consecutive Masses for peaceful elections and turn over, every Friday at 6 p.m. at the La Salle Greenhills Chapel.

They urged all religious communities to join the prayer activity and “light a candle for clean, honest, peaceful and credible elections.”

The major superiors also called on members of communities to vote and serve as poll watchers during elections.

“We must guard against any attempt to frustrate the peoples’ will before, during and after elections,” the group said.

Meanwhile, AMRSP’s Mission Partner, the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), will observe, document and report the entire electoral proceedings through an endeavor called Bantay Eleksyon.

“Though hoping for the best, we should be prepared for the worst,” the religious superiors said. “If any of the above scenarios come to pass, we should be committed to join protest actions that will clearly show that we will not take the frustration of our peoples’ will lying down,” they added.