Mirasol, Yulo sign peace covenant

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Special congressional elections candidates, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol of the Liberal Party and his nephew, Provincial Board Member Emilio Yulo III of the Nacionalista Party, have signed a peace covenant Monday at the Negros Provincial Police headquarters in this city.

The “covenant for an honest, orderly, and peaceful election” stated that both Mirasol and Yulo “solemnly and faithfully manifest” to uphold the Constitution, obey all laws/ordinances of the land, including the pertinent Comelec memoranda and resolutions governing the conduct of the special polls on June 2.

Both candidates vowed to conduct dealings with each other gentlemanly, discuss only legitimate issues, lay down platform of government in friendly manner, and “renounce the use of threats, violence, force, intimidation, partisans/private armed groups (PAGs) and such other illegal means.”

Provincial election supervisor Jessie Suarez expected emotions running high going to the homestretch of the special polls, prompting him to advise the two candidates to remind also their respective supporters not to resort to violence, the use of ‘gutter’ language, or personal attack on opponents.

“The winner should be magnanimous in his victory and the loser should have the fortitude to accept defeat,” said Suarez during the signing of the peace pact, which was witnessed also by military and police officials, Imam Omar Betita, head of the DAR AL-DIKR Islamic Call and Guidance Center in Bacolod, and the media.

Suarez said it is all systems go and that everything has been going well except in areas difficult to reach.” Random checkpoints are being conducted by the PNP and Philippine Army to ensure a peaceful and orderly election, he said, adding that police and military men will be tasked to secure the ballot boxes.

Colonel Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, and Sr. Supt. Allan Guisihan, NOPPO director, have promised to ensure a peaceful election and to be non-partisan. Lactao said around 700 soldiers will be deployed to the 5th district areas, while Guisihan said NOPPO deployed 500 policemen in addition to those from the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion.

Last Saturday, Suarez, Lactao and Supt. Leo Irwin Agpangan, deputy provincial police director for administration, visited the five towns and one city of the 5th District to assess the security plans enforcement, especially on areas where possible animosities are foreseen between supporters of Mirasol and Yulo.

The special polls have divided the Yulo clan in the 5th district as both candidates are their relatives: Mirasol is the uncle of Yulo. Former PB member Francis Yulo Tuvilla yesterday said the “majority of the Yulos are supporting Mirasol,” who he said has more access to Malacañang.

Tuvilla said that should Yulo loses, and decides to run for PB member in 2013, the whole Yulo clan will support him.

Meanwhile, youth power plays bigger role in the elections with both candidates mobilizing the young voters as their campaigners. Last Sunday, Yulo gathered his scholars and other young people for a Youth Summit in Himamaylan City, where they signed a manifesto of support for him.

Last Monday, Mirasol convened about 150 youth leaders in the district at the ancestral house of ABC president and Hinigaran town Councilor Oscar Catalino Yulo, where the youth signed a manifetso of support for Mirasol. The councilor told them, “Let’s make way for the elder Yulo first,” alluding to Mirasol.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who chairs United Negros Alliance or the coalition of local political parties, was confident of Mirasol victory. - THE FREEMAN