The Sanctity Of The Vote
Amidst the hustle and bustle brought about by the filing of Certificates of Candidacies of candidates for President, Vice-President, Senators, House of Representatives and local candidates in the provincial and municipal levels, we find it gratifying to note the call of Catholic hierarchy through its Parish Pastoral for Responsible Voting (PPRC) for our people to go out and vote for candidates who would unselfishly and truly serve and dedicate themselves to the elective positions they aspire for. Along this line, we are glad to observe that many known aspirants have somehow come up to these standards. Although there are reported nuisance candidates or aspirants who obviously will not be able to launch a nationwide campaign, it is our hope that the electorate will just disregard them as not deserving to be voted on. We are also glad to note that upon orders of the military higher-ups, all men in uniform shall maintain distance from all electoral precincts except to vote. From tv, print and broadcast media reports, we are happy that Filipinos residing abroad have expressed strong interest to cast their votes thru the respective Consular Offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Indeed, as I have said before, exercising our right of suffrage is not merely a privilege but a sacred right as well. And this right is to be exercised with great wisdom and discernment. In the sanctity of the vote, let us do our best to let the collective interests of the Filipinos win above all. To do this we must inform ourselves on vital social and political issues that affect our people and reflect in our votes our stand on these issues.
In our continuing battle against the pandemic, the decision of the Duterte administration to declare the entire country under the Alert Level 3 protocol has been welcomed by our citizenry. Let us hope, however, that our people will be responsible enough to observe the health protocols to prevent another surge of the COVID 19 virus.
Through this column I wish to express in my own behalf and that of my wife Minda our profound and sincere condolence to our friend Don Sia, the immediate past President of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), for the passing away of his father Bonifacio Sia. Likewise, let me express our condolences to my brother B/Gen. Ernesto K. Maristela and his family for the untimely death of his son and my nephew Jimmy Maristela.
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:
"THE IGNORANCE OF ONE VOTER IN A DEMOCRACY IMPAIRS THE SECURITY OF ALL" -JOHN F. KENNEDY
FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:
"OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, AND FROM IT WE AWAIT A SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST" -PHIL 3:20