May 11, 2010
Written by Gregg Brekke

Two United Church of Christ pastors were part of the People's International Observers' Mission delegation that monitored Philippine elections. In a country that has reported widespread fraud in previous presidential races, Philippine officials and international observers are reporting "no major discrepancies" in the 2010 election process.

Senator Benigno Aquino III, the son of former president Corazon Aquino, received over 40 percent of the votes after 80 percent of precincts had reported May 11. Voter turnout was high and 75 percent of the 50 million eligible voters had cast ballots according to the Election Commission.

Despite good reports from international observers and Philippine officials, the Associated Press is reporting news of regional problems with the newly implemented computerized voting machines and 12 deaths attributed to election violence.

The Rev. Kathryn Schreiber of Hayward (Calif.) UCC and the Rev. Katherine Fox of Texas arrived in the Philippines May 6 to begin their work as election monitors. In a letter sent to the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Global Ministries executives said these delegates were sent "with our blessings, and in hope that they may embody our commitment to partnership..."

Prior to her departure, Schreiber spoke of her involvement in the Northern California Nevada Conference committee on human rights in the Philippines, the importance of the 2005 General Synod "Resolution of Witness in Support of the Persecuted in the Philippines" and her determination to be part of the delegation.

"Part of what we're trying to do is extend the reach of the 2005 resolution," Schreiber said. "It was important to our Philippine partners that Euro-American churches, as well as our Filipino and integrated churches, took the lead in building partnerships. Our solidarity with them was key to the relationship."

Following their election monitoring tasks, Schreiber and Fox will extend their stay to meet with delegates from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines hoping to strengthen the bonds of the partnership.

Schreiber will also visit her congregation's sister church, Luisiana Evangelical Church, UCCP in the Laguna region of Luzon, which will be celebrating its anniversary May 16.

"This congregation [Hayward UCC] has a long history of supporting human rights," says Schreiber who has served as the church's pastor for eight years. "Though the congregation is nervous, they also had a pastor who marched [with Martin Luther King Jr.] in Selma. I'm blessed to be here and encouraged by their support."

United Church of Christ News Service