Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz has sounded the alarm over reports of warlord politicians organizing the private armies for the May 2007 local and national elections.
“I have already heard that a good number of traditional politicians have already revived their private armies”, Cruz told The PUNCH.
The influential church leader, who views the next elections as a referendum on the present administration, said incidents, particularly reported killings, is very disturbing.
“The forthcoming election is very significant for the administration especially in the lower House of Congress because the moment the lower House of Congress has either small majority pro administration or not even a majority, then the present administration is in peril,” he said.

He is convinced that “everything will be thrown out inclusive of the proverbial kitchen sink in order that the administration and pro-administration people will win local and regional elections”.
For the senatorial race, Cruz said while the administration has is facing a serious dilemma filling up the slots with their bets, it does not mean that “it will not put up all the logistics, especially money, in order to make the administration candidates win”.
Cruz called on the electorate to be extra vigilant and responsible when casting their votes and guarding the results even as he felt assured that the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting is determined to follow up the vote count particularly at the provincial level.

JUETENG MONEY

Meanwhile, Cruz, also the chairman of the Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Sugal (National Crusade Against Gambling), said is optimistic that less jueteng money will be used for elections this time.
“Some will still try but it will be a hide and seek thing again,” he added.
He cited the case of Region 1 where, under the stewardship of Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil as the police regional director, jueteng is no longer as rampant as it used to be.
However, he added that he could not speak the same of the other regions.
He also pointed out that the administration will have other sources of money, aside from jueteng, like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation which is “very inexhaustible”.
Cruz reiterated that the key to a clean and honest election is the voting population and pointed to the uprightness and capability of the aspirants as the primordial considerations in voting for the candidates. — EVA

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments