ILOILO – Twelve candidates running for “provincial level” posts in the May 9, 2022 elections pledged to, among others, shun violence, vote-buying and cheating.
All provincial level candidates – running for congressman, governor, vice governor and for member of the Provincial Board – were invited for yesterday’s covenant signing for peaceful, free, fair ,and honest elections at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s (IPPO) headquarters in Santa Barbara town but only a dozen showed up, led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The 12 candidates promised the following:
* to focus on their platform of government and refrain from attacking the personal lives of fellow candidates during the campaign
* to avoid vote buying, all forms of election fraud and the use of threats
* to refrain from spending beyond what is lawfully permitted during the campaign
* to be held accountable for the actions of their campaign leaders
* to accept the results of the election and respect whatever will be the decision of the people
The IPPO organized the covenant signing in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
A Mass was celebrated by Reverend Father Ricardo Eniego prior to the covenant signing, which was witnessed by representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).
Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria lauded the candidates who joined the covenant signing and expressed hope that they would honor and abide by the contents of the covenant.
The covenant enjoins the candidates to uphold the Constitution and all laws, including Comelec.
“We hope to have peaceful elections. Anyway damo candidates nga wala kontra. So far daw wala man gid intense political rivalry,” said Ananoria.
Aside from Defensor, other candidates present at the covenant signing were:
* Nolbert Gil (governor, independent)
* Victor Tabaquirao (congressman, 1st District PDP-Laban)
* Valentine Serag (Provincial Board member, 1st District, Lakas-CMD)
* Elston Saquian (Provincial Board Member, 1st District Independent)
* Dennis Valencia (Provincial Board Member, 1st District, NUP)
* June Mondejar (Provincial Board Member, 2nd District, NUP)
* Eduardo Artazona (congressman, 3rd District, Independent)
* Matt Palabrica (Provincial Board Member, 3rd District, NUP)
* Antonio Parcon (congressman, 4th District, Independent)
* Reynaldo Galeno (congressman, 4th District, PFP)
* Rolando Distura (Provincial Board Member, 4th District NP)
Atty. Ananoria said they will send copies of the covenant to candidates who were not present during the covenant signing yesterday.
Meanwhile, IPPO director Police Colonel Adrian Acollador said some who failed to attend the peace covenant had prior appointments./PN
