Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Davao (Agenzia Fides) – Amid the difficulties, violence (6 dead now), and purchasing of votes, "in this Filipino election hope emerges: the involvement of young people between 20 and 30 years who have offered their volunteer work to control the voting process, to assure free and fair elections." This is what Fides was told by Fr. Albert Alejo, a Jesuit of Davao directly involved in cultural awareness and social politics in Mindanao and the Philippines.
Fr. Alejo tells Fides: "The presence of many youth volunteers directly involved in monitoring the voting process is an injection of new energy, beyond the traditional segments of civil society. It's a sign of great hope, which means that the process of education and awareness, also being carried out by the Catholic Church, is bearing fruit. We are hoping for a renewal of leadership in the coming years. These young people motivated on an ethical and civil level carry a heritage of values, are attentive to the common good, and are very valuable to the nation."
This is how the Jesuit considers today's elections: "Although to a lesser extent than in the past, the negative dynamics of Filipino politics have returned: the sale of votes, blackmail and brute violence, political patronage, the reign of the clan. This time, there is also the problem of efficiency and reliability of automatic reading of ballots. In some areas, voting was considered invalid. I believe there will be many protests and this goes to undermine the credibility of the vote. There is still a long path left to building a healthy democracy that can cure these disorders."
On the outcome of the vote, while candidate Benigno Aquino, Jr. seems ahead in the polls, Fr. Alejo says: "We have hope in the good candidates that have entered the race. Aquino is one of them."
Fr. Alejo, on behalf of the Bishop-Ulama Conference, in recent months has led seminars entitled "Dialogue in Mindanao,” which have united all the components of Filipino society to develop a proposal to bring peace, development, and social cohesion to Mindanao. "Fear and tension still reign here," notes the Jesuit. "In many areas, there have been complaints and difficulties, but we hope in the good work of the observers, both domestic and international." The Election Commission of the Philippines has announced that they will cancel the vote in four municipalities of the Province of Lanao del Sur on the island of Mindanao, as the violence has prevented the citizens from expressing their preference.
Today, because of pre-election violence, there have been six deaths (three in Zamboanga, one in North Cotabato, two in Cavite), bringing the total budget of four months of campaign to 35 victims.
From 7am to 7pm, about 50 million Filipino voters will go to the polls today to elect the president, vice-president, 250 members of Congress, 12 senators (24 total), and over 17,000 provincial and local representatives. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2010)
