The Pulse Asia reported that 82% of the Filipinos expressed confidence on the
credibility of the 2022 National and Local Elections. This is consistent with the statement
of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting on the conduct of clean elections.
These could have put to rest the clamor of some groups against the victory of President
Marcos Jr and Vice President Duterte. However, there remain supporters of other
candidates that refuse to recognize the election results and insinuate political repression
under the new administration. They claim to fight for democracy when in fact they attack
it with their stubbornness to acknowledge the voice of the majority.
As the new President is set to deliver his first ever State of the Nation Address, these
groups including the notorious minions of the Communist Party of the Philippines
(CPP)-New People’s Army (NPA)-National Democratic Front (NDF) are again out to
condition the minds of the public on issues which they claim the government has either
neglected or likely to fail to address. They use the SONA to justify holding protests to
demonize the government to block the latter from communicating its programs to the
people.
The groups under the CPP-NPA-NDF has done this across various administrations with
the same intention of keeping the government away from the people; hence, preventing
cooperation on promoting an environment conducive for achieving peace and progress.
But we are more informed now. We know that these activities of CPP-allied groups are
intended to push their communist agenda. Thus, we have the choice to shun calls for
gatherings organized by these groups only to stop us from working with our government
and becoming productive citizens. Let us condemn these activities and instead call for
cooperation.
Choose to stand in solidarity with the government towards attaining lasting peace and
development because only in such way that we become better Filipinos.
Cristina Catbagan
Chairperson, Nagkakaisang Samahan Para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran