MARCOS, SUPPORTERS ATTEND MASS FOR TRUTH AND INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTIONS

Hundreds of supporters today gathered at the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Paranaque City and joined Vice Presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. in offering a mass for truth and for the integrity of the elections.

Dubbed as "Buong Bayan Magkaisa, Isang Misa Para sa Katotohanan at Integridad ng Halalan", the mass was offered by Marcos supporters and volunteers to give thanks for the peaceful elections and to pray that truth would prevail allowing the will of the people to be reflected in the results of the elections.

They were joined by Marcos who came with his wife Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos, son Sandro, mother, former First Lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos, his cousin, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, other members of his family and close friends for the 12:30 p.m. mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Ben Sy.

"May the Holy Spirit guide us through our trials and problems" Fr. Sy expressed in his homily on the celebration today of the Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

Anabel Isles, who came all the way from Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said she immediately decided to attend the mass when she heard it from her friends through social media. Isles, who is on vacation from her work as a librarian at the Thamer International School in Jeddah said the entire Filipino community where she works are all for Marcos.

"We all voted for him and I am sure of that which is the reason why we wonder why he is not leading in the quick count," Isles said. She added that the mass is a good opportunity for them to express their support and at the same time pray for his eventual victory in the Vice Presidential race.

Erlinda Lepanto, 61 years old of Pasay City said they specifically attended the mass to ask Our Lady of Perpetual Help to embrace Marcos and assist him in overcoming his current trial. "Kasi si Senator Bongbong talaga ang ibinoto namin. Nagtaka naman kami, lahat kami sa pamilya ilan kaming botante, sa isang pamilya ko 22, Bongbong ho talaga. Noon pa hong panahon ng Tatay niya Marcos na po kami," she said.

Lepanto, who came with her friends who are also supporters of the Senator, said the on-going controversy surrounding Marcos had opened her eyes on the importance of guarding the votes. "Hindi kami papaya na nawawala ang boto namin. Huwag naman kaming ganyanin. Kawawa naman po ang mga tao ngayon. Ang gusto namin makaupo si Bongbong para yung maiiwan naming mga anak pagdating ng panahon hindi na sila magiging katulad ng dinanas namin, magiginhawaan po sila, hindi po ba," she said.

After the mass, Marcos was mobbed with repeated reverberating chants of "BBM!!!!", his name's acronym.

Marcos, for his part, thanked them for their unwavering support as he promised them that he will continue to fight not only for his votes but for the integrity of the elections.

"I am extremely thankful and humbled by the show of support. But this is not just about me. We are fighting about the very integrity our elections, the very sanctity of the ballot. We will never stop until all votes are counted as they should be, not one vote more, not one vote less," Marcos concluded.