AQUINO PRAYS FOR CLEAN POLLS, SAFETY OF LP ALLIES IN MANAOAG

MANAOAG, Pangasinan: Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino visited the famous shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag here Wednesday to pray for clean elections and for the safety of his allies in the Liberal Party.

Aquino also prayed that President Arroyo be enlightened and go beyond "governance by PR," even as he maintained any reconciliation with her must include justice.

"Siyempre nanalangin tayo para maging maayos at mapayapa ang election process na ito. Gusto natin ma-express ang tunay na saloobin ng taumbayan. Kahapon may nabaril na kapartido natin. Kasama sa intention ko ang guidance at shielding from evil forces," sabi ni Aquino sa mga mamamahayag matapos ang misa.

The 50-year old senator from Tarlac lamented many of his LP allies had been victims of election-related violence and harassment since the start of the political campaign, rendering the election gun ban as a mere "PR solution."

Aquino and some of his senatorial bets from the LP attracted the attention of many churchgoers as they attended mass here. He said that with the Holy Week nearing, Filipinos must reflect and ask God for guidance, while thanking him for the blessings he had given them.

Aquino said that while he wishes Mrs. Arroyo peace and does not hold any personal grudge against her, he cannot agree to any reconciliation without justice.

"Justice has to be foremost. Things that have transpired in the past nine-and-a-half years cannot be swept aside. They have to be explained," he said.

"She should be made to explain. But I hold no personal animosity against her. This is a matter of my conviction, that government is there to serve the people and this government did not serve the people," he added.