ILOILO City – Candidates for the May 9, 2022 elections here signed a covenant for peaceful, fair and honest elections.
According to City Election Assistant Jonathan Sayno, the signing yesterday was not mandatory but encouraged.
“They must be responsible sa pagpatigayon sang ila kampanya. Peaceful. Mangin professional. Indi mag gamit sang armas, pamahog, kwarta or vote-buying,” Sayno said.
The signing was organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“Dapat mangin peaceful kag safe ang pagpatigayon sang election bangod ara kita sa panahon sang pandemic,” said Sayno.
For his part, reelectionist Mayor Jerry Treñas said, “Daku gid ang akon respeto sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga kandidato. Apang akon man ginapangabay nga mangin maalam kita sa pagpili sang mga lideres nga makabulig pagdala sa aton ciudad sa pag-uswag.”
Majority of the 37 candidates running for various posts here joined Wednesday’s interfaith prayer for peace and unity, caravan, and covenant signing.
The almost half-a-day activity was a combination of virtual and caravan events.
It started with an interfaith prayer via Zoom.
The candidates and religious groups attended virtually.
Thereafter, the organizers conducted a caravan bringing with them a copy of the covenant for the candidates to sign.
Sayno said that none of the candidates was allowed to join the caravan to avoid the crowds from gathering.
“The signing was done during the caravan. We brought the backdrop and a copy of the pledge where candidates waiting at the churches of their respective district will have to sign,” he said.
The last stop was at the Iloilo City Hall where most of the incumbent candidates waited.
Based on the Comelec official ballot, four candidates are vying for the city’s lone district seat in the House of Representatives, three for mayor, two for vice mayor and 28 for the Sangguniang Panlungsod seats. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
