2 bets in Negros special poll sign peace pact

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The two candidates in the June 2 special poll in the fifth district of Negros Occidental, who are incidentally relatives, have signed a covenant for an “honest, orderly, and peaceful election.”

Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol of the Liberal Party (LP) and his nephew, Board Member Emilio Yulo III of the Nacionalista Party, signed the peace covenant at the provincial police headquarters here last Monday.

Both candidates promised to “conduct ourselves in a gentlemanly manner in all our dealings with our fellow candidates and will only discuss legitimate political issues and lay down our platform of government through free and friendly manner.”

They also vowed to “renounce the use of threats, violence, force, intimidation, partisans/private armed groups and such other illegal means in furtherance of our political interests.”

Provincial election supervisor Jessie Suarez, who witnessed the signing, said he expects emotions to run high in the run-up to the special poll, thus he advised both candidates to advise their supporters not to resort to violence, “gutter language” or personal attacks.

“The winner should be magnanimous in his victory and the loser should have the fortitude to accept defeat,” Suarez told both candidates.

Senior Superintendent Allan Guisihan, provincial police director, and Col. Oscar Lactao, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, for their part, promised to be non-partisan and to ensure the peaceful conduct of the special election. 

The special poll will seek the replacement of the late congressman Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo who died in London last January after a long battle with cirrhosis of the liver.

Meanwhile, the Yulo clan in the fifth district is divided on who to support in the June 2 special election as both candidates are their relatives. Yulo’s father is Mirasol’s first cousin.

But former board member Francis Yulo Tuvilla said the “majority of the Yulos are supporting Mirasol.”

He said most members of the Yulo clan are inclined to support Mirasol because being an LP bet, he would have more access to Malacañang, and thus could bring more projects to the fifth district.