CRUZ, AGBAYANI CALL FOR VIGILANCE

LINGAYEN– An insidious attempt by some candidates to frustrate the will of the people in some parts of Pangasinan was exposed jointly by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Governor Victor Agbayani.

Both leaders called for the holding of honest, orderly, peaceful and credible May 14 elections after they got wind of reports that certain candidates are set to implement “dagdag-bawas” schemes through ballot substitution and or vote-shedding.

Cruz, the highest Catholic official of Pangasinan, warned of possible social upheaval if there is widespread cheating in the polls.

Agbayani called on the people of Pangasinan to be prepared to do everything they can to ensure that their votes would be counted.

Both Cruz and Agbayani were alarmed on receiving a report that at least two public school teachers and possibly many more were offered from P50,000 to P100,000 to undertake ballot substitution or dagdag-bawas in favor of certain candidates.

“We hope that our teachers will not allow themselves to be used by anyone as tools in undermining the democratic process”, Agbayani said.

“I am afraid of what will happen if there would be massive cheating in the coming election,” said Cruz, former president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

Cruz stopped short of saying that a possible new attempt to wrest power from the present administration could blow up if the true will of the people under democracy will not prevail in this election.

Cruz said the people have the right to choose the local government leaders who will lead them for the next three years and six years in the case of senators.

Agbayani agreed with Cruz that there could be upheaval if widespread cheating occurs.

Deploring the activities of candidates wanting to impose their will upon teachers, Agbayani said that this inimical act must be exposed and the schemers repudiated, arrested and sent to jail.

He cited a public school teacher from Bugallon who confessed to having been approached by a village head to undertake dagdag-bawas operations.

Cruz said the Church has adopted some counter-measures against election cheaters.

The archbishop said the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), which the Commission on Elections designated as its official watchdog, has taken the necessary measures to prevent massive poll fraud and violence in Pangasinan.

Volunteers were trained in seminars to educate poll watchers and voters on the importance of safeguarding the ballots and the prevention of tampering.

Cruz said the PPRCV will provide assistance to voters in every precinct through the trained staff who will poll watch and document any fraudulent activities during Election Day.

All parishes in the province will have PPCRV desks with one lawyer each to guard against poll fraud and to conduct poll count in the precinct level, he said.—LM

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