ALKHOBAR, 10 July 2004 — Filipino organizations in the Eastern Province have agreed to forget their differences during the election, saying that the community had more important concerns to deal with.
Representatives of civic, professional, regional, multi-sectoral and political groups in Alkhobar, Dammam, Jubail, Ras Tanura and Hofuf reaffirmed their commitment of solidarity and unity among themselves by signing a covenant recently at the Puerto Azul restaurant in Alkhobar.
Among those present were the campaigners of the PGMA movement of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Guardian supporters of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the Bangon Muna followers of television evangelist Eddie Villanueva, and supporters of former Sen. Raul Roco.
None of those present claimed to represent the camp of Arroyo’s main rival during the May 10 election, actor Fernando Poe Jr.
Also present were the officials appointed as representatives of the Commission on Election. They included Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, Supervising Welfare Officer Sotero Tornea, and Mrs. Pilar Licupa, the principal of the International Philippine School in Alkhobar (IPSA).
It was at IPSA where the month-long overseas absentee voting exercise in the Eastern Province were held. There were also the representatives from the Namfrel and the Special Board of Election Inspectors.
Leaders of the All Filipino Community and Sports Commission (Afcscom) and the OFW Congress, the two umbrella organizations in the region, also pitched in for national unity.
The Gabay OFW, a political arm of the OFW Congress which joined but lost in the party-list election, also signed the covenant.
“Their affirmation of unity clearly shows that we Filipinos, wherever we are, can achieve national unity and healing for our beloved country, the Philippines,” Cruz said during the emotionally laden signing ceremony.