Catholic churches bells ring for clean polls

Bells in Catholic churches in the country rang several times at 7 a.m. Monday to press for the clean and credible conduct of the country's first nationwide automated elections. The Manila Cathedral was among the churches that joined the nationwide event, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said. “Let your conscience dictate your vote. The future of our country lies in our hands," retired Manila bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. said in his homily at the 6 a.m. mass at the Manila Cathedral. The ringing of the bells sought to coincide with the opening of polling precincts nationwide. On the other hand, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales made a last-minute appeal for people to vote wisely in a mass at the Manila Cathedral at 6 a.m. Bacani added the social, economic and political situation of the country will be good if people will choose the right leaders. He also called on the Commission on Elections, law enforcers and other concerned government agencies to protect the rights of the Filipinos. — LBG, GMANews.TV