Cory launches prayer movement for May elections

DAVAO CITY — Former President Corazon Aquino is set to launch today a prayer movement advocating peaceful and credible elections.

The launching of the prayer movement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling nullifying the contract providing automated counting machines (ACMs) for the country’s first computerized elections.

"It is very important that we pray together as a nation, especially during these difficult times," Mrs. Aquino said. "It is prayer for peaceful, credible elections."

She said the prayer movement will be launched simultaneously in her home province of Tarlac and other key areas of the country, including the cities of Davao, Bacolod and Cebu.

Mrs. Aquino said that although the prayer movement has no formal name yet, she wants the advocacy to gather Filipinos together in prayer, regardless of religious belief.

The former president arrived in this city to surprise industrialist Jesus Ayala, who served as congressional liaison officer during her administration, and attend his 75th birthday celebration.

She said the prayer movement will be apolitical and will not endorse any particular candidate, as she is not endorsing candidates in the national elections come May.

The prayer movement, Mrs. Aquino said, "is not for any particular candidate. The prayers would be for the entire country."

She also expressed her wish that the prayer movement will gather competing groups together — including longtime rival Catholic schools Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University — to pray for the nation.

Mrs. Aquino said she hopes Filipinos will come together as a nation united flying the Philippine flag with pride. "I wish to see all of us proudly flying small flags together as a nation."