Supporters of Jocelyn Limkaichong held a peaceful prayer rally at the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park in Dumaguete yesterday and called on the authorities to proclaim her as their duly-elected House Representative for the first district of Oriental Negros.

The men, women and children who braved the heat and intermittent drizzles, were told by Limkaichong's leaders that their candidate had already filed a motion for reconsideration with the Commission on Elections in Manila to reverse the decision disqualifying her from the congressional race.

"Let us not lose hope, God is with us, and let us continue to be vigilant and pray that our votes for Josy shall not go to waste," a minister said as he led the prayers and the singing of songs. With drumbeating in the background, the crowd also chanted "Josy, Josy" as the names of the towns that were being represented in the prayer rally were being called one by one.

More than a thousand people were estimated at the rally. The rallyists carried them placards that read: "The people have spoken, let's proclaim Josy..now congresswoman 1st district of Negros Oriental", "Don't give up on us, Josy", "We trust in you, Josy", and "Let's fight for our new cong. Josy", among others.

One placard that read "Josy 100 percent Pinoy," referred to the number one issue raised against her - her citizenship which was being questioned by rival political camps for allegedly not being a Filipino citizen by virtue of her father, Julio Ong Sy, not allegedly being able to satisfy the requirements for his naturalization as a Filipino citizen.

Canlaon City and all the towns in the first district were represented by people, some of whom told the DAILY STAR, they took time out to be present.

Early in the day, bus loads of Josy's supporters arrived in the city and milled around the Freedom Park as they waited for the rally to begin.

Police in Dumaguete set up checkpoints hours ahead of the rally and secured the city to prevent any untoward incident, but city police chief Dionardo Carlos said the protesters have to police their own ranks. Meanwhile, Limkaichong filed a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec through her lawyer in Manila, Pete Cuadra.

The motion seeks the reversal of the joint resolution of the Comelec second division disqualifying her from the congressional race. It also seeks to lift the Comelec order suspending her proclamation as the new Representative of the first district of Negros Oriental, Dirkie Palma, a lawyer for Limkaichong's family said.*JG

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