MANILA, Philippines - Taguig City mayoralty candidate Rica Tiñga was a no-show again during yesterday’s peace dialogue with re-electionist Mayor Lani Cayetano.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) initiated the dialogue between Tiñga and Cayetano to ensure peaceful and orderly polls in Taguig on May 13.
Last March, Tiñga failed to attend the signing of a peace covenant at the St. Anne Parish in Barangay Sta. Ana, Taguig.
The PPCRV brokered the dialogue after the supporters of Tiñga and Cayetano clashed at the city hall last week, leaving 12 persons injured.
Cayetano attended the dialogue at the St. Martha Parish in Kalawaan, Pasig City.
She reiterated her commitment to the conduct of peaceful and honest election in the city.
“We are hoping that no violent incident would happen again, especially during the elections,†Cayetano told reporters.
The mayor expressed dismay over Tiñga’s non-appearance.
Members of the media were barred from attending yesterday’s dialogue presided over by presided by Fr. Loreto Sanchez Jr., parish priest of St. Martha Parish and chairman of the PPCRV in the Diocese of Pasig.
Also present in the dialogue were Taguig congressional bet Lino Cayetano, Councilor Baby Gloria Valenzuela de Mesa, Commission on Elections (Comelec) lawyer Michael Camangeg, Gemma Dancil from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and city police chief Senior Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis.
For her part, Tiñga said she did not attend the dialogue because of the presence of Asis whom she accused of siding with the camp of Cayetano. – Non Alquitran, Mike Frialde