THE CONDUCT OF THE MAY 10, 2004 NATIONAL ELECTIONS

Reports coming from our bishops show that the May 10, 2004 National Elections were generally peaceful.

The personal responses of the bishops to my questionnaire also show that there were some instances of cheating and violations of election laws by political parties in their areas but these did not affect the voting in general. There were few exceptions, of course.

If there were reports of cheating locally or regionally, the bishops cannot say that there was a national conspiracy to engage in massive cheating

For this reason, we urge our lawmakers to speed up peacefully the national canvassing of votes. We also urge complainants to go to the proper courts. Our people -expect the losers to accept defeat magnanimously, and the winners to welcome victory in humility.

For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines:

(SGD) + FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, D.D.

Archbishop of Davao

President, Catholic Bishop's

of the Philippines

01 June 2004

2000s