Patriots' letter to the editor of Philippine Daily Inquirer
by Fr. Joe Dizon Tuesday, May. 25, 2004 at 11:18 PM

Letter to the Editor May 24, 2004 Philippine Daily Inquirer

Your featuring us in your May 24, 2004 editorial terribly humbles us. It gives us the attention we neither deserve nor seek.

But nothing can be further from the truth. And this is the truth.

1. The various groups you mentioned who attended our May 21, 2004 at Bayview Hotel like the supporters of candidates Fernando Poe Jr., Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Ping Lacson, the retired generals and the progressive party lists are neither members of Patriots nor do we have any formal and direct organizational link with them. They attended our press conference as invited guests. What we have reached that day is cooperation with one another in collating all the data of each group in relation to fraud and violence vis-à- vis the May 10, 2004 elections and to come out in the most feasible time a more comprehensive and extensive report on the matter. We welcome any documented information the administration may wish to submit to us regarding fraud and violence committed by the opposition for our independent analysis and balanced reporting. When this arduous work is done, we will present the report once more, both for the scrutiny of the court of public opinion and the appropriate court of law.

2. We also agreed to hold a one-week activity from May 25-28, 2004 dubbed as the “Peoples’ Watch” to express our peoples’ demand and continuing vigilance for a credible outcome to this year’s electoral exercise.

3. We are fully aware that all those who come to us in these extremely trying yet challenging times have motives and intentions beyond or even contradictory to the cause that members of Patriots have publicly, openly and earnestly pursued before, during, and after the May 10 elections; that is, to arouse our people’s vigilance and readiness at all times to assert their sovereign will and advance their welfare and interests.

It is the right of any group to define themselves and their distinct objectives; it is for the people to perceive and to judge their motives and intentions and act accordingly. Our unity and cooperation with any and all groups rests on this bottom line -- the advancement of the greater good of our people especially the poor, oppressed and powerless.

4. Finally, regarding the purported certificates of canvass allegedly found in the Senate premises. We also received documents claimed to be certificates of canvass. We showed and submitted these to the Comelec Chairman who instantaneously proclaimed these to be fraudulent. At this time, we have chosen to accept the pronouncement of Chairman Abalos.

Thank you for giving us the reason and the opportunity to make plain what Patriots is about. Believe this: “The truth shall set us free.” But it will first make us uncomfortable.

Fr. Joe P. Dizon
Convenor, Patriots

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