In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

‘Protect sanctity of your ballots’, Go reminds Filipinos

<p>Senator Christopher “Bong” Go<em> (File photo)</em></p>

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go (File photo)

MANILA – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to the millions of Filipinos who will vote in the upcoming national and local elections to protect the sanctity of the ballot by taking a firm stand and making a conscience vote against unscrupulous candidates who coerce voters or try to buy their votes.

“Huwag kayong magpapasindak! Huwag kayong magpapadala sa mga pananakot at panunuhol para lang iboto ang mga lider na hindi naman ninyo gusto at hindi kumakatawan sa interes ng higit na nakararami. Patuloy tayong maging mapagmatyag sa mga susunod na linggo at hanggang sa mismong araw ng halalan (Don't be afraid! Don’t get affected by threats and bribes just to vote for leaders you do not like and do not represent the interests of the majority. Let us continue to be vigilant in the coming weeks and until election day itself),” Go said in a news release on Thursday.

He urged the voters to always remember that their votes are sacred and “it’s our decision to elect those who deserve the position they are running for.”

Go echoed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call for orderly, fair and credible elections to ensure that the results of the polls are truly reflective of the Filipino people’s will.

Duterte earlier vowed not to let terrorism and other illegal activities to disrupt the May 9 elections.

“Katulad ni Pangulong Duterte, ito rin po ang aking pananaw at panawagan sa lahat. Dapat maging patas at tahimik ang halalan upang matiyak na ang magiging resulta ng eleksyon ay tunay na kumakatawan sa kagustuhan ng sambayanang Pilipino (Like President Duterte, this is also my view and appeal to everyone. Elections must be fair and peaceful to ensure that the outcome of the election truly represents the will of the Filipino people),” Go said.

Meanwhile, Go reassured that even as the elections draw near, helping struggling Filipinos across the country remains his priority as a public servant.

“Habang naka subaybay tayo sa mga kaganapan sa darating na eleksyon, hindi natin pinababayaan ang ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng tulong. Hanggang ngayon ay ramdam pa nila ang epekto ng pandemya at iba pang krisis, kaya kahit anuman ang mangyari sa mundo ng pulitika, prayoridad ko pa rin ang patuloy na serbisyo sa mga kapwa ko Pilipino (As we monitor events in the coming elections, we do not neglect our countrymen in need of help. Until now, they are still feeling the effects of the pandemic and other crises, so no matter what happens in the world of politics, my priority is still to continue to serve my fellow Filipinos),” he said.

Go and his team have been consistently delivering aid to vulnerable communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

On April 25, Go visited the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte to lead the distribution of assistance to thousands of residents, composed of fisherfolk, senior citizens, drivers and indigents in the city.

“Patuloy ninyong mararamdaman ang aking serbisyo hangga’t may mga Pilipinong dapat tulungan, lalo na ang mga higit na nangangailangan (You will continue to feel my service as long as there are Filipinos who need help, especially those who are most in need),” he said.

“At muli, ipinaaalala ko sa inyo na lagi nating isapuso at isaisip na ang ating boto ay sagrado. Naniniwala ako na kung tayo ay magkakaisa at magbabayanihan, mas mapapangalagaan natin ang integridad ng darating na halalan. Ang balota ang siyang magiging instrumento sa ating pagsulong at pag-unlad bilang isang bansa, at uukit ng mas magandang bukas para sa lahat ng Pilipino lalo na sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak (And again, I remind you to always take to heart and remember that our vote is sacred. I believe that if we are united and help each other, we can better preserve the integrity of the coming election. The ballot will be the instrument in our progress and development as a nation, and will carve out a better tomorrow for all Filipinos especially the future of our children),” he added. (PR)

Comments