TAGUIG City, May 14, 2013—Ensuring a clean and honest election is an advocacy that transcends boundaries, even that of religion. This as Catholics, Christians and Muslims set aside their differences in volunteering to be part of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in certain poll precincts in this city.
Fr. Loreto Sanchez, PPCRV priest-coordinator in the Diocese of Pasig, recounted the interfaith unity of volunteers especially in the polling precincts in Barangay Maharlika Village, which is home to a big community of Muslims living and working in Metro Manila.
“There are several Muslims in Barangay Maharlika Village who didn’t mind to be volunteers of the PPCRV because they believe in the group’s cause for a clean and honest election,” he said.
Sanchez said PPCRV volunteers regardless of religion are all after the success of the polls. Among the volunteers’ duties are voters’ assistance and poll watching on Election Day.
“In Maharlika Village for instance, they are all Muslims there yet they joined a group that is associated with the Catholic Church because they want to be part of non-partisan election watchdog,” the priest added.
Sanchez also noted that the youth comprise majority of the PPCRV volunteers throughout the diocese.
“There are more young volunteers especially as they are more adept with technology that their elder counterparts. They assist voters, encode reports, and even act as support staff that need to be mobile most of the time,” he said.
The priest said initiative of PPRCV lay volunteers is very instrumental in the conduct of any election, urging them to keep it up.
“The role of the PPCRV is very indispensable as a citizen arm. And the role of the volunteers is very significant (in the success of the elections),” Sanchez added. (CBCPNews)
