COMMISSION on Elections Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Gregorio Larrazabal on Tuesday night joined activists Fr. Robert Reyes and Ernesto Ordoñez in praying for people’s vigilance of government.
Sarmiento and Larrazabal went to the tent that Alyansa Agrikultura, Kubol Pag-asa and Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan put up outside the gate of the Philippine International Convention Center, where the canvassing for votes case in the senatorial and partylist elections is being done.
The prayer with the poll commissioners marked the end of the 15 days of 24-hour fasting and vigil for peaceful elections.
The activists lighted candles to symbolize “that we should keep the fire buring and not let our leaders govern without us getting involved,” said Ordoñez, a former agriculture undersecretary . “We asked them to immerse themselves in the life of our people, especially the poor.”
Ordoñez said the three groups signed a statement thankful that last Monday’s election was peaceful and called for vigilance to protect Philippine democracy. –Ellen Tordesillas
