AKP have planted the seeds for political maturity that has caught the attention of many.

AKP have planted the seeds for political maturity that has caught the attention of many.
That in itself spells SUCCESS. Mabuhay! God bless.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Election Violence in the Philippines - January 2010

A Service of Christian Convergence for Good Governance

Election in the Philippines has been one of a contest by which the aim is winning the race. The prize would be prestige and enormous power including the bounty of pork barrels, internal revenue allotments, commissions from government projects, control over the underground market, and protection of personal and family interests. This is the reason why election in the country is always marred by violence.



The 1986 snap election posted the highest incidence of violence with Marcos’ military and police intimidating the voters leaving 153 deaths out of the reported 364 incidents on that election period. The lowest number of deaths was in 1998 presidential and local elections which registered 77 deaths out of 322 incidents.


Election violence is well-planned and premeditated and it happens anytime during the pre-election and campaign periods, day of election, counting and canvassing of votes, and proclamation of the winners. Violence comes in the form of kidnapping, death threats, intimidation, shooting, setting of ambushes, arson. Principal actors are usually politicians themselves with private armies, hired goons, military and police, rebel militias, and supporters. The victims are mostly the weaker candidates and their family members, campaign staff, journalists, supporters and sympathizers, election officers and COMELEC personnel, and even ordinary voters.

Election violence persists because of the existence of private armies of local warlords and political dynasties; the proliferation of loose firearms; and the prevalence of patronage politics. The acts of violence undermine the expression of democratic right to vote and participate in the electoral process.

Pray that…
1. the government will be effective in enforcing the gun ban.
2. measures will be undertaken to neutralize the private armies.
3. safety and security of observers and personnel managing the precinct will be ensured.
4. incidence of violence will be reduced this election.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

New Year's Blessing - From Bishop Gordon Douglas

Greetings to each of you on this New Year's Eve.

As the Presiding Bishop of GMCI & GAM, I want to share a special prayer for you.

You might wonder why I said New Year's Blessing instead of Happy New Year. Well, certainly I wish you all the happiness available for the new year but you may not be able to stay happy every day of the year but you can stay blessed. The joy of the Lord is our strength and it does not depend on happiness.

As you read the prayer contained in this email, I believe it can be yours if you accept it.

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it should not be another time of words that rhyme with 2010 or some other type of cliché that wears itself out within 30 days and accomplishes much of nothing. I pray that this new year will be a time of entering into a more dynamic relationship with God.... A time of deliverance and healing: spiritually, physically and financially. I pray it will truly be a year of signs and wonders.

As this email goes out to our membership around the world, I pray that it will accomplish its intended purpose.

Heavenly Father.... I come into agreement with You right now for Your will to be done in the lives and ministries of every minister, outreach ministry and church affiliated with this ministry. Let this truly be a time when we all become more sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit. Let it be a time of healing, deliverance, signs, wonders and miracles.

Lift those that are down, encourage those that are despondent. Heal those that are afflicted and deliver those that are bound. Let this be a year of empowerment to the degree we can all fully walk in the potential you have already created and fulfill our destiny here on earth.

Dear God, let all that would read this prayer accept these words as active in their lives. I pray that the Holy Ghost will fill us and thrill us. Let it change us and rearrange us. May we redeem the time because the days are evil. Let us not just talk church.... Help us to be the Church as You intended. Let us do more than we say... let us accomplish more than we expect. May we all truly be more like You.

As the Presiding Bishop over this ministry and under Your direction, let this prayer accomplish the intended purpose. May this truly be a banner year in every area and aspect of our lives and ministries.

In Jesus Name, Amen