MANILA (Agencies): Father Anton Pascual, the president of Radio Veritas, said it is important to recognise the result of the recent Philippine elections [May 9] because it is one of the characteristics of an independent society, RVA News [Radio Vertas Asia] reported on May 11.
“Let’s respect the rule of the majority from a relatively peaceful, clean and credible election,” he said in a radio interview.
“That’s [an] appreciation of the democratic ideals of the foundation of sovereign popular will and rule of law,” he added.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.; and running mate, Davao City mayor, Sara Duterte, daughter of incumbent president, Rodrigo Duterte; looked set win the race for the presidency and vice presidency of the country.
The Catholic Church called on the faithful to respect and accept the outcome of the election and urged them to reunite for restoration especially those who had a conflict due to differences in the candidates they supported.
While there was disappointment expressed at the outcome, Church leaders called for peace and unity, UCAN reported.
“Let us remain peaceful in this electoral process. Let us remain hopeful that while the election count is soon to be over, no violent incidents may happen,” the vice rector of Manila Cathedral, Father Kali Llamado, wrote on Facebook, while thanking opposition candidate and current vice president, Leonor “Leni” Robredo, for choosing to run in the election despite the lack of machinery and support from big political families.
“It is my honour to stand with you, Vice President Robredo, for integrity, truth and for the common good,” Father Llamado wrote.
UCAN also reported that the San Lorenzo Church group called on all Filipinos to keep watch and to pray for the vice president for strength.
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“Let us pray for vice president, Leni Robredo. Let us extend our support to the vice president and for those who won in the elections. May they truly be motivated to serve the nation,” the group said in a statement.
“Let us remain peaceful in this electoral process. Let us remain hopeful that while the election count is soon to be over, no violent incidents may happen,” it said.
“Thank Vice President Leni. At least—just for a few months—I lived in hope. We truly do not deserve a leader like you. Unfortunately, this country is not ready for good governance,” one priest, Jesuit Father James Gascon, wrote on Facebook.
The Church is also hoping that truth and justice will prevail in the 2022 despite reported issues including defective vote-counting machines and faulty Secure Digital [SD] cards, RVA News reported adding that the Commission on, Elections [COMELEC] estimated that over 80 per cent of registered voters participated in the polls this year.
As of the early morning of May 11, COMELEC reported that Marcos maintained lead in the presidential race, with 31,071,674 votes, based on the partial, unofficial results, while Robredo remained second with 14,806,539 votes, PhilStar reported.
Meanwhile, boxer, Manny Pacquiao, with just over 3.6 million votes, and Francisco “Isko” Domagoso, who tallied 1.87 million votes as of May 10, both conceded defeat.
