Bicol prelate tells residents not to sell their votes

By Mar Serrano/Philippine News Agency

LEGAZPI CITY — Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi has called on parishioners to place their blessed palm fronds (palaspas) at their doors and gates to symbolize that their votes are “not for sale” in the upcoming May elections.

In his message at the observance of Palm Sunday, Baylon urged the public to “hang or place this blessed palaspas at our doors and gates (because) this way, it would serve as a true message that our votes are not for sale.”

“The palm that each one is holding represents a message of the true essence of this celebration,” he said.

He said it is high time that the system of electing leaders be changed to mark the end of vote-buying, corruption and other dirty tricks that would deceive the electorate.

“If you are selling your votes, right here and now drop your Palaspas,” he said.

Hundreds of parishioners joined the Roman Catholic Church as it celebrates Palm Sunday, a religious event that marks the start weeklong observance of the passion of Jesus Christ.

Joined by hundreds of parishioners bearing palm fronds at the Albay Penaranda Park, a procession which depicted Christ Passover signaling the start of the “Semana Santa” (Holy Week) was led by Baylon as they entered the Saint Gregory the Great Cathedral for the Holy Mass.

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