The die has been cast. It's just a week before the May 13 elections and thanks to our fragmented political parties where loyalties can never be guaranteed, the political slogan for this last week of campaigning is “Everyone for himself!†Indeed, this is what I saw last Sunday evening during the Unity for Life Prayer Rally sponsored by the group Lay Initiative for Elections 2013 held at the Plaza Independencia. I estimated the crowd to be some 3,000 people, but this time, it was with a difference, they were not a “hakot†crowd that you usually see during political rallies.
Kudos to the officials of LIFE 2013 led by Dr. Rene Bullecer and Fe Barino for it was indeed history in the making. Never had anyone involved with the Catholic Church come up with a huge rally of lay leaders to campaign for politicians supporting the Catholic Church. This is why don't you take the 3,000 plus for granted even if it was a small crowd as they were mostly leaders of their charismatic organizations. Indeed, Mabuhi ang Kinabuhi!
Let me point out that there were 12 parish priests officiating the Holy Mass with Msgr. Bataclan, which means that this rally had the blessings of the Catholic Church. I can understand why the Catholic hierarchy still doesn't to show its face for this election. But whether they like it or not, the laity here, including all the Charismatic groups, have already spoken.
If you've been watching what LIFE 2013 has been doing, two weekends ago, they went into a 54-car caravan around Cebu Province and they were greeted by parishioners by the thousands and their respective parish priests. If you ask me, the Holy Spirit has fired them to campaign for candidates supporting the Catholic Church. Mind you, those laity initiated rally had the blessings of the Cebu Archdiocese and it is happening all over the nation, otherwise they would not have sent those parish priests for the mass.
It was indeed a touching moment for me for that rally is our best proof that if everyone helps the Catholic Church, even those candidates from the opposite sides of the political landscape would come together. It was truly an act of unity, something rare in this country today. What made that rally more touching is the fact that the candidates present were more than willing to sign a covenant that they would support the Catholic Church's fight against same sex marriage, divorce, abortion and euthanasia and yes, one of them even vowed to push for the repeal of the Reproductive Health (RH) law.
There is no doubt that LIFE 2013 is supporting the Team Buhay. But let me tell you, it doesn't matter if these candidates belong to a political dynasty because like it or not, it is still happening today and there are dynasties from both sides of the political spectrum. The simple criteria that LIFE 2013 put out was simply… if the candidates are pro-life and if elected, they would sign a covenant to fight against divorce, same sex marriage, abortion, euthanasia and perhaps the repeal of the RH Law.
At this point, we can only mention the pro-life candidates who honored us with their presence. First on my list is former Sen. Richard “Dick†Gordon, who declared that he was happy that finally the Catholic Church was exerting itself by not supporting candidates against her. When he talked about same sex marriage, he pointed to the Bible and said, “God created Adam and Eve… not Steve!†Definitely Gordon gets my vote.
JV Ejercito also pointed out that being schooled in a Jesuit school, he too believes in what the Bible teaches us, especially to preserve families. Cynthia Villar got a lot of applause from the audience when she said that she and husband Sen. Manny Villar were members of Couples for Christ. Former Migz Zubiri spoke eloquent Cebuano and told the audience “The true treasure of this country is not our beautiful landscape or buildings, it is our people.†Yes, Zubiri should be sent back to the Senate.
Sen. Koko Pimentel was represented by his mother, while Rep. Mitos Magsaysay was represented by her daughter. Sen. Antonio Trillanes was represented by 1st Lt. Ashley Acedillo, who spoke eloquently on why we should support the Catholic Church and life of the unborn. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear Sen. Trillanes speak like his representative.
Two partylist representatives came. ANAD Rep. Pastor Alcover, Jr. spoke against the dangers of creeping communism in this country, something that I truly believe is happening. Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza spoke for his Buhay Party List. Indeed, if we voted more pro-lifers in Congress, then we can undo what the Aquino Regime has done and perhaps the Lord will look with favor at our nation. Gov. Gwen Garcia, Rep. PJ Garcia and Rep. Pabling Garcia were all there in full force. Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama was also chosen with his vice-mayoralty candidate Edgar Labella. To be continued tomorrow….
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