Molo priest call on voters to be responsible
Having the second largest number of registered voters in Iloilo City, the parish priest of St. Anne Parish in Molo district called all the electorates to be responsible in voting the candidates in this May 14 polls. The district of Molo has a total registered voters of 38,941. A pre-election activities are set to awaken the voters consciousness.
Fr. Tomas Delicana said the right to vote is a “sacred duty” and everyone should vote with conscience. Voting is an act of faith. Every one has the responsibility towards God and the nation. The future of our country lies in the kind of leader we vote.
Delicana said the voters should be enlightened through their respective Parish Pastoral Councils so they could have broader perspective on the value of election and the importance of choosing the right candidates for each elective position. Each parish under the Archdiocese of Jaro have already convened and mobilized their parish pastoral councils.
He added, candidates both in local and national positions should not engage in vote buying activities. The 3-G's, guns, goons and gold, should not be used as basis in voting a candidate. Delicana described the candidate whose into vote buying activities as “monsters and witches”, who wants to devour people. While, voters who are receiving the money are like “whores.” They are being paid for their services.
Delicana said candidates and their leaders should leave to the electorates whom to vote for. It is the voters who should ultimately make their own decision. They have their conscience and are capable to think.
Apart from having the second highest number of registered voters, several candidates come from Molo. Among them are vice mayoralty candidate Jed Mabilog, councilorables Perla Zulueta, Antonio Pesina and Johnny Young. The church did not endorse or campaign against any of the candidates who are from Molo.
To awaken more its parishioners, the Parish Pastoral Council of Molo through its head Rustico Ledesma, PPCRV coordinator Wesley Tanque and the entire Parish Pastoral Council of Molo will have a city-wide caravan on May 12. The caravan is only part of the pre-election activities designed by the parish to enlighten the voters.
Last week, the parish begun its nine-day novena with its intention for a honest, orderly, peaceful and clean elections. The city-wide caravan will start from Molo Church, Baluarte, Ledesma, Iznart, Central Market, Plaza Libertad, JM Basa, Provincial Capitol, Gaisano City, E. Lopez Jaro, Jaro Plaza, Jaro Public Market, Diversion Road, Mandurriao airport and back to Molo. One of the vehicles will herald the commandments in choosing the right candidate. They will also have a living Rosary at the Molo Plaza in the evening.
While, a day after the election, there will be an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament inside the Molo Church. Voters are urged to visit the church before going to the polling precincts. Candles will be given to all the church goers. The lighted candle which will be placed in front of the Blessed Sacrament will symbolize, serve as “light” and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit among the voters, said Delicana.