The Life 2013 Prayer Rally

As promised, this column is a continuation of our column yesterday entitled “Life 2013 Holds Historic Rally.” I rarely do two columns for one topic. But we spent most of yesterday's column talking about the senatoriables who graced the LIFE 2013 Prayer Rally last Sunday evening. So now it is the turn of LIFE's choice for the local candidates.

For governor, the Catholic Laity has chosen Rep. Pablo John Garcia because he is not only pro-life, the whole family, from Gov. Gwen Garcia and their father Rep. Pablo Garcia are not just pro-life, they fought against the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill in Congress since 1998. This is why Rep. Pabling was allowed to speak the longest, after all, despite his age, his mind is still very active and would debate with anyone on this issue.

Gov. Gwen Garcia very early in her public career already supported the Catholic Church against the RH bill and yes, let me say it here again, she actively fought the roots that breeds communism by declaring war against the communists. She is the only governor with the guts to make such a declaration. Thanks to Gov. Gwen, Cebu has been spared the wrath of the New People's Army (NPA) that has gone on a rampage in Mindanao and in nearby Negros Occidental. Fighting the communists can't be done with kid's gloves and kudos to Gov. Gwen for keeping Cebu Province safe so that tourists can come and enjoy our natural resources and our peaceful surroundings.

Incidentally, we wrote yesterday that Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) Partylist Rep. Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr. was the only one of the candidates who spoke against communism in last Sunday's rally. ANAD had a presscon yesterday at the Baseline Restaurant because the Comelec, despite a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court, disqualified ANAD Partylist. This makes Comelec Chairman Brillantes a true friend of the communists for he has allowed many of their above-ground allies to be included in the Partylist system, while removing the only anti-communist partylist which we read in the news yesterday.

At this point, I don't know what the next move of Rep. Jun Alcover will be. But Comelec must be sanctioned by the Supreme Court for violating its TRO. I dare suggest that since it is too late in the hour, ANAD should still campaign for votes so they can file a case vs. the Comelec after the elections. In my book, Chairman Brillantes has a lot to answer for this disqualification.

Cebu City North District former Rep. Raul del Mar who is seeking his seat again was also given due recognition. Former Rep. Raul del Mar and his daughter Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar have always been in the trenches in this spiritual battle between good and evil. If the RH Bill took 15 years before it was passed into law, it is thanks to the valiant efforts of the del Mars in Congress, which is why the Catholic Laity is grateful for their efforts.

Mayor Mike Rama has always professed his being pro-life a long time ago and his vice mayoralty candidate Edgar Labella was recognized as the official candidate for vice mayor as far as the Catholic Laity and the Church is concerned. Right now the latest surveys have shown that they are both neck-to-neck with challenger Rep. Tomas Osmeña. That means that the Catholic vote will be a swing vote in favor of Mayor Mike Rama.

Some of you may not believe that there is a Catholic vote. But let me tell you, since the passage of the RH Bill into law, many Catholics are now wary that this law was passed because they failed to help the church in this spiritual battle. This is why we saw that massive albeit historic rally organized by the laity last Sunday. I will not boast that the Catholic vote will be a massive one, but in a political race that is too close to call, whether you like it or not, the Catholic vote will be a swing vote.

Incidentally, I was told that Rep. Tomas Osmeña was the guest at the 888 Forum in Marco Polo yesterday. I couldn't attend the forum because of two other important presscons happening in Cebu City. But what's the point of attending a forum with Rep. Tomas when he even refuses to answer the questions that we posed in this corner a few columns back? BO-PK even refused to attend the Mega Cebu Candidates Forum sponsored by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) last week, which means they have a lot of things to hide.

Incidentally, the social networks are abuzz with that colored photo of a Comelec vehicle parked in front of the residence of Rep. Tomas Osmeña and this has gone viral with people asking… what's the Comelec vehicle doing in his residence? I hope Rep. Tomas Osmeña can explain that incriminating photo to the people of Cebu.

*  *  *

Email: [email protected]