GMA’s cabalen to hold prayer rally

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Describing this week as "crucial" to the administration of President Arroyo amid reported destabilization moves, Gov. Mark Lapid called on Capampangans to unite "to show our support for our cabalen" by joining a prayer rally here on Thursday morning.

Lapid made the call during a meeting with some 100 local government and multisectoral leaders here yesterday noon.

"We have no alternative but to fight for the present administration," said City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

He said they are mobilizing Capampangans not because Mrs. Arroyo is a cabalen, "but because there is no valid evidence strong enough to topple the government."

Local leaders vowed to mobilize at least 10,000 people for the prayer rally.

Meanwhile, in Bacolod City, an estimated 30,000 people from 65 parishes and chaplaincies in Negros Occidental joined yesterday’s "Day of Mourning" which Bishop Vicente Navarra hoped would "send a powerful message to President that the time for change has come."

"We are not calling for her resignation, we only want her to change the system of governance and institute genuine reforms," Navarra said.

"We still have faith in her. This affair is our way of (bringing) to her the noble sentiments of the people," he added. — With Antonieta Lopez