Elections: polls open amidst fears of violence and corruption
Manila (AsiaNews) – Polls opened today in the Philippines for some 45 million voters to elect 12 senators and 265 members of the House of Representatives as wall as 17,500 among governors, mayors and municipal councillors. The Catholic Church has been involved in a campaign to limit corruption by stressing the principles of transparency, honesty and peace.
Filipino bishops yesterday urged voters “to vote according to their conscience” and the chairman of the Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, appealed to the population and various groups like the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), the National Secretariat for Social Action Justice and Peace (NASSA), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the Legal Network for Truthful Election (LENTE) to help make these elections clean, honest and peaceful.
“We need the Lord’s help in this important event. May the hand of God stop the evil of electoral violence, cheating and corruption,” he said. “Together we can make democracy and the electoral process work better for the country, better than in the past.”
“Do not allow anyone to violate the sanctity of your ballot. Vote according to your conscience. [. . .] Protect your vote from being tampered with. Remember: the candidate who wins by cheating will also govern by cheating,” he warned.
Speaking to AsiaNews, a Catholic lay leader from the Manila Archdiocese, Michael Delgado, said that “our common prayer is to instil renewed energy, a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love, which will ever guide us in our quest for peace. We invoke the spirit of God to move us, to inspire us, and to send us forth to be heralds of justice and unity, to be messengers of his love, to be instruments of his peace.”
Corruption is one the main problems afflicting the Philippines’ political and social life. According to some international observers the country is one of the most corrupt in Asia. In the 2004 elections, some critics contend, President Arroyo only won because of corruption. She has always denied the charges.
This time the authorities have deployed some 20,000 soldiers to ensure the process runs smoothly.
During the 90-day national campaign and 45-day local campaign about a hundred people have died. Despite the army deployment, today three people were killed today.
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