MANILA – Malacañang on Monday commended ‘everyone’ for a peaceful 2019 midterm elections and urged the public to remain vigilant as vote counting proceeds.
"As counting begins, we call on everyone to be vigilant and be on guard against any act of irregularity in the election,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
“The electoral fraud comes when the voters do not participate or involve themselves after they cast their votes. Let us not allow those who seek to destroy our democratic process and trample our sacred votes have their way," he added.
Panelo thanked public school teachers who served as Board of Election Inspectors.
"We express our gratitude to our teachers for their sacrifice as members of the Election Board, ensuring that the elections from the registration, actual voting and counting are clean and credible," he said.
He also commended security forces for strict implementation of election laws.
"We laud our authorities for their extra vigilance and strict enforcement of election laws, including the apprehension of persons for violations of the gun ban, liquor ban, and vote buying," Panelo said.
Panelo also lauded the Filipino voters who trooped to the polls for a “healthy democratic exercise”.
"We likewise thank our people for taking part in this healthy democratic exercise and sacred ritual of choosing the individuals who they believe can help in governing this nation and their respective localities," he added.
The Palace official urged everyone to support the winners of the national and local elections.
“May the results of this year's elections reflect the genuine will of the electorate and should it be so, we urge everyone to support those democratically chosen for the betterment of the Filipino people,” he added.
He called on those who will be proclaimed winners “to be fealty to their duties imposed by law and to serve their constituents well and with dedication.” (PNA)
