Voters’ Forum gets candidates’ commitment to Life, Family, Country
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Election fever swept the Bulwagang Balagtas of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)- Sta.Mesa where some 800 people gathered last Feb. 3 to affirm their commitment to vote only for Pro-lifew candidates this coming May election.
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Among those that attended the Voters’ Forum were Congressmen Ed Zialcita (1st Dist., Parañaque), Bienvenido Abante, Jr. (6th Dist., Manila), Rene Velarde, BUHAY Party List (represented by his chief of staff) and Christian Señeres (BUHAY Party List) and Hermilando Mandanas (2nd Dist., Batangas) and Mayor Lito Atienza. Other party lists represented were AKMA, ASCOPH and ABA AKO and a new national party—KAPATIRAN was also represented. Senatorial candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, son of Senator Nene Pimentel also attended the occasion.
The event, organized by Pro-Life Philippines as its opening salvo for Pro-Life Month, was attended by parish workers, youth and a few elderly folk who turned up to witness the candidates’ signing of the Covenant for Life—as their commitment to upholding pro-life, pro-family and pro-Filipino principles during their term of office if ever they are elected.
Courageous advocates of the pro-life movement, Zialcita, Mandanas and Señeres reiterated their pledge to defend life and family values in legislation, with Abante tackling in his speech how the bills on divorce, same-sex marriages and reproductive rights were defeated with the involvement of both legislators and concerned citizens.
The Most Reverend Paciano Aniceto, Archbishop of Pampanga and head of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (ECFL-CBCP) signed the Covenant for Life as a witnmess to the commitment of these political candidates.
Earlier in the day, Pro-Life held its annual convention wherein pro-life activism and volunteerism were taken up by speakers Ed Sorreta and Cory Arevalo—both long-time advocates of the pro-life cause. Counselors, parish ministry and community workers, medical practitioners, teachers and students took part in the event.
Other activities scheduled for Pro-Life Month are: exhibits and talks at Greenbelt Chapel on Feb. 14, a Healing Mass at Sto. Domingo Church, QC with the Blessed Margaret of Castello Movement, a Pro-Life Forum at the Diocese of Parañaque on Feb. 17, and a Pro-Life Conference at the Diocese of Dagupan on Feb. 24.
For more information, please call Pro-Life at telephone numbers: 421-7147 or 422-8877 or email life@prolife.org.ph.
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