Except Radaza Lapu-Lapu bets sign peace pact

CEBU, Philippines - Local candidates in Lapu-Lapu City except for incumbent Mayor Paz Radaza and her slate have signed a peace covenant to ensure peaceful and honest elections in the city.

The covenant signing was jointly initiated by the church and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office. It was held at the Birhen sa Regla Church at 10:00 a.m. yesterday. 

However, few minutes after signing the accord, the intramurals within the local members of the Liberal Party have led into a heated confrontation between the party's two factions in the city.

Mayoralty candidate Efrain Pelaez confronted the group of congressional candidate Angel Rodriguez and questioned the latter for wearing the signature yellow t-shirt of LP. Pelaez said Rodriguez's group has no authority to wear the LP t-shirt because he is no longer the official candidate of the party.

"Ayaw na ninyo gamita kay expelled namo (Don't use it anymore because you have been expelled)," Pelaez told the group of Rodriguez who was waiting to be interviewed by the media.

Rufo Bering, a member of the group of Rodriguez, reacted to Pelaez's claim and challenged the latter to present evidence that they have been expelled by the party. The heated exchange between Pelaez and Bering was later pacified with each camp parting ways leaving the unresolved challenge.

Aside from the challenge to present proof of his claim, Pelaez was also accused of depositing in his personal account the party's campaign funds.

Radaza and her team were not able to join the signing allegedly because of a prior commitment in Cauhagan Island. — /FPL (FREEMAN)