Naga officials, poll bets, others sign covenant

CEBU, Philippines - For a peaceful and credible election, the major stakeholders of Naga City -- public officials, poll candidates, church leaders and an officer of the Commission on Elections -- yesterday signed a covenant promoting such.

“In the interest of the nation for the conduct of peaceful elections, we, the undersigned by the respect of the name we carry and with the integrity of our political parties or even being an independent candidate, by the integrity of our commitment and desire to serve the public, do hereby solemnly swear and make this covenant to abide by an orderly, peaceful and credible election,” read the covenant.

The agreement was signed by the city’s candidates for the coming May 10 elections including the four mayoralty aspirants: incumbent Mayor Valdemar Chiong (Alayon-Nacionalista Party), Esperidion Canoneo Jr. (Liberal Party), Dominador Basaya Jr. (independent), and Leandro Patalinghug (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) after yesterday’s flag raising ceremony.

Apart from the city hall employees, the signing was witnessed by Fr. Melchor Urjel, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, his co-pastor, Fr. Ricardo Canete, and Fr. Butch Brendan Senioron of Inayagan Parish.

Col. Ramundo Banares, commander of the 78ID, 8ID; Supt Anthony Barinao, Naga City Police Station chief and Fernando Hortelano, election officer III-Comelec, also acted as witnesses to the event, to which Chiong himself described as “something that would hopefully keep the election peaceful and honest” as dictated by the Comelec laws, ruled and regulations.

In that one-page covenant, the parties agreed “to stand and commit not to perform acts inimical to public interests such as the use of threats and violence against contending candidates of his/her followers, resort to immoral voters buying activities.”

They have also committed not to resort to “cheating with the use of government resources and taking undue advantage over the candidates.”

“We promise to strictly observe and obey this covenant, take responsibility on the illegal acts of our followers and to accept whoever will be the choice of our constituents, setting aside our pride and our self interest,” the covenant read. – Liv G. Campo   (FREEMAN NEWS)