End to political bickering urged in prayer rallies

MANILA, Philippines – Local government officials, religious leaders, and medical practitioners held separate rallies over the weekend to call for an end to “political bickering” and urged Filipinos to unite for peace and stability in the country.

This, as militant, religious, civil society and opposition groups are staging a series of protest rallies starting today to demand President Arroyo’s resignation.

The Metro Manila Mayors League (MML) asked for an end to the lingering political noise which, it said, is starting to affect the business climate in the metropolis.

Metro Manila mayors also sought closure to the Senate investigation on the botched ZTE national broadband network deal to give way to an impartial, fair and transparent investigation by the courts.

“We believe that our search for the truth must not divide our people, must not set aside fairness and justice, and must not pass premature judgment unto others,” the mayors said in a statement.

At a prayer rally dubbed Octave Prayer for Christian Unity in Marikina City last Saturday, Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando said “rallies against the government do nothing good for the Filipino people as these will only damage the economy and initiate instability.”

Mayor Fernando said the protest rallies would only “derail the country’s economy” which recorded an all time high of 7.3 percent last year.

At another prayer rally and medical mission in front of the Manila Broadcasting Corp. in Pasay City, members of the Heal the Nation Interfaith Council (HNIC) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) declared that “it is now time to heal the wounds of the past and start anew through physical and spiritual rejuvenation.”

They appealed to everyone “to calm down and instead address the seemingly insurmountable problems of the country by joining hands in bringing peace and solidarity through prayers, genuine public service, and humanitarian endeavors.”

In Marikina, the President and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando led the rally attended by thousands of Filipinos, including local, national and government officials from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

ULAP members lighted candles to show their support for the Arroyo administration.

“Let’s accept it. In the spirit of national unity, let’s move forward for the progress of the country. What we Filipinos should do is discuss solutions to economic crisis, instead of joining street protest actions,” Fernando said.

In a resolution expressing full support to the administration of Mrs. Arroyo, the MML said that the notable gains achieved in the economic front could be eroded by continuing rallies against the government.

PMA president Dr. Jose Sabili said doctors are also now taking the initiative to conduct free medical missions to address the physical concerns of the general populace.

HNIC spokesman Patriarch Florentino Teruel of the Apostolic Catholic Church said that for any move by government to initiate positive changes in the country and become successful, there must first be efforts geared towards spiritual reform and moral recovery.

Today, a cross-section of demonstrators from the informal sector, farmers, fisherfolk, labor, veterans, youth, religious groups, barangay leaders and local government officials will converge at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to air their support for the President.

Similar rallies and consultative dialogs will be held today in Cavite and Pangasinan, organized by the provincial governors who have remained loyal and supportive to Mrs. Arroyo.

The Kongreso ng Mamayan, a multi-sectoral organization that has questioned the credibility and integrity of NBN witness Jun Lozada, will spearhead the demonstration of support for the administration.

Gov. Ireneo Maliksi of Cavite and Gov. Amado Espino of Pangasinan will lead the twin provincial gatherings to dramatize the opposition of provincial leaders against attempts to destabilize the government. – Non Alquitran, Cecille Suerte Felipe