A bishop from the province of Bicol led a peaceful prayer rally dubbed as “Dasal para kay Rosal” over the weekend to support Albay Governor Noel E. Rosal and Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal.
Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi City graced the peaceful rally along with more than 25,000 supporters at the Peñaranda Park, saying that the Albayanons (people of Albay) had already decided who to elect last election.
Rosal and his wife have been ordered disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the illegal use of campaign funds.
Legazpi City Public Safety Officer Rolly Esguerra said Sunday the supporters, who included Catholic priests, were from various towns and cities.
Baylon said the prayer rally was a manifestation of the people’s will, adding that the result of the past elections was not only a simple majority win but an “overwhelming majority” for the Rosal couple.
“Let the will of the people prevail, and let’s go to work for a progressive Albay. The election is already done here. The people has already chosen their leaders so let’s stop politicking,” Baylon said. “The Church has joined the people today to support the leaders they chose.”
The Comelec disqualified Rosal from the provincial electoral race last month for violating the 45-day ban on the release of public funds by government agencies for social welfare projects particularly the approval of cash assistance to tricycle drivers in April.
According to reports, Mayor Geraldine Rosal was also disqualified for the same offense last October 4 just two weeks after the first division of Comelec disqualified her husband.
Baylon added though that they would always respect the law, but he is praying that the true justice will prevail for the benefit of the entire 469, 481 Filipinos who voted for Rosal and his wife.
“My message to our political leaders is we will always respect the law, the law which stands for the truth, that respect and love the dignity of one another. There are many things that can cause us divided or may turn against one another.
But the loser in the end will be the people of this land,” he added.
Rosal supporters said they believe that the issues were absolutely political and baseless.
The first time governor and the mayor will continue to function as an elected head of the province and the city until the court orders them with finality to vacate their positions, according to Rosal’s social media account.