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GMA votes, continues to pray for unity, reconciliation |
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10 MAY 2004 |
| GMA votes, continues to pray for unity, reconciliation |
LUBAO, Pampanga – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today cast her vote here and made a pitch once more on the importance of the people’s right to vote. The President also underscored the significance of unity, healing and reconciliation among all political camps now that the elections are over. In brief remarks to reporters after casting her vote, the President stressed that the "ballot is an instrument of democracy, an important feature that seals the fate of a freedom-loving nation." "Ang eleksiyon ay isang dakilang karapatang nakakapagpareho ng kapangyarihan. Kaya gamitin natin ang balota para ipagtanggol at bantayan ang ating kinabukasan (The election is a noble right of the people that equalizes power. That is why we should use the ballot to protect and guard our future)," the President said. The President also said she continues to pray for national peace and unity. The President arrived at the Lubao East Central Elementary School at around 9:50 a.m. and cast her vote in the clustered 0001A and 0001B First precinct in Brgy. San Nicolas. She was listed as 84th in the official list of voters of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), which was posted outside the polling precinct. Her Voting Registration Record is 25046663 and her voter’s identification is 5408-0001AD05476MM. The President was assisted by election officer Eva Sagad. The proceeding was witnessed by Board of Election Inspector Luzviminda Neri and poll clerk Grace Langit. It took the President 10 minutes to cast her ballot. She was the 90th voter to do so in the said polling precinct. The clustered 0001A and 0001B polling precinct has a total of 220 registered voters that also include Pampanga Vice Governor Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, who is running for Congress, and Diosdado Macapagal Jr. Vice Gov. Arroyo arrived earlier and cast his vote at the same precinct some 35 minutes ahead of his mother. He stayed and waited for the President’s arrival at the school grounds along with his supporters, who massed inside the compound to express support for the Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4) standard-bearer. |