Palma: Vote for leaders who walk with the people

THE country’s incumbent leaders and those running for office in this year’s mid-term elections should walk with the people to learn of their aspirations and dreams in life, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said yesterday.

“We feel inspired when we do not walk alone. Leaders are important. We hope to be able to choose our leaders who will walk with us,” he said in a message during the Unity Walk and Interfaith Prayer Rally at the Archbishop’s Palace.

The activity was joined by 2,000 participants that marched from Fuente Osmeña Circle down to the Archbishop’s Palace.

Palma also said he’s confident that the elections will be a reflection of the sentiments of the people.

“If we dream and dream alone, that may just remain a dream. If we dream with our people, the dream will become a reality,” he said.

Officials from the Commission on Elections, the military and police also joined the walk.

In his message Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Police Regional Office (PRO-7) chief, said the region’s entire police force and the military will make sure the elections will be fair and honest.

“We are consistent with our mandate to secure the elections,” he told reporters.

Participants held a candle lighting ceremony and cited a voter’s pledge before releasing white balloons and doves to cap the event.

Also joining the activity were government and civil society groups like the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos, Dilaab Foundation, C-Cimpel, Lihok Filipina and the National Youth Commission.

The activity is part of the campaign for a Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2013 program organized by the Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center (RJSCC) that oversees the activities for the coming May 2013 elections. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus