Estrada, Aquino, 32 others lead church’s tag
By Ronald O. Reyes
TACLOBAN CITY — “Discern whether supporters of RH bill deserve to be our leaders.”
This warning altogether with the names of candidates who supported the Reproductive Health (RH) bill is written in 40 pieces of tarpaulins, measuring about 2 meters by 5 meters, and which are now visibly hanged in the churches in 40 different towns under the Archdiocese of Palo, in Leyte province.
Over a phone interview, Fr. Christian Golong, secretary in the Archdiocese, revealed that by coming up with the tarpaulins, the church was able to put its moral duty to the public into concrete action especially on anti-life issues like RH bill.
“As far as our Archdiocese is concerned, our obligation is to help voters recognize the right leaders for our country, that they should not leave their conscience when deciding whom to vote.”
He, however, added that people are always free to decide for their own at the end of the day.
Topping the lists on the tarpaulins are presidential candidates Joseph Estrada, Noynoy Aquino, Nicanor Perlas, and Dick Gordon.
The vice-presidential bets are Loren Legarda, Jejomar Binay and Perfecto Yasay.
Senatoriables are Neric Acosta, Liza Maza, Risa Hontiveros-Baranguel, Jinggoy Estrada, Bongbong Marcos, Gilbert Remulla, Ruffy Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Satur Ocampo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Jose de Venecia III, Teofisto Guingona III, and Bong Revilla.
The party-lists are Act, Anakpawis, Cibac, Gabriela, Akbayan, Bayan muna, Courage, Kabataan, Katribu, Sanlakas, Ang Ladlad, Migrante, TUCP, and Partidong Manggagawa (PM).
On the tarpaulins, the Archdiocese reminded voters not to leave God outside when they go to the polls.
Also, it highlighted that RH is a big mask for massive contraceptive campaign and that it has nothing to do with “reproduction” or “health”.
“Slow death to our race, not reproduction, will result with contraceptive-mentality just like Europe, and health risks result with contraceptive use.”
“RH is founded in two big lies: that our country is overpopulated and poverty is caused by over population.”
The Archdiocese then reasoned out that the country is so far away from being overpopulated and poverty is basically caused by graft and corruption.
Meanwhile, Fr. Golong hoped that voting and counting this Monday (May 10) national election will be done with computers as mandated by law.
“We cannot afford to fail. We cannot afford to go back to manual election. Our government has spent billions on this. We cannot afford to frustrate the people again,” he added. (with reports from Eden Benusa-Reyes)
Note: About the writer
Ronald O. Reyes,33, is a provincial writer based in Tacloban city. He is connected, together with his wife Eden, with Tribune Eastern Visayas, a weekly paper in the region publishing for 8 years already. His news stories can also be read at www.thereporteronline.com.ph
