CEBU, Philippines - A number of candidates for the coming mid-term election earlier expressed their commitment to sign a peace covenant with the opposing party to ensure a peaceful election in their respective areas.
While the effort is very commendable, the Commission on Election also hopes this would not only assure the security of the candidates and the voters but that the candidates will be fair in their campaign.
Election officer Ferdinand Gujilde, detailed in the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor, explained that the signing of the peace covenants should go beyond the promise of each candidate to assure the peace and security during the campaign period and the election.
“Peace; it does not only speak of the stillness of the atmosphere,†said Gujilde, adding that it should be anchored with justice.
He explained that candidates who will sign a peace covenant would still violate campaign regulations if they buy votes or use government resources for their campaign, it would not serve the purpose of the covenant.
“That’s incompatible with peace,†he said.
Mayoralty candidates of towns under the Areas Watchlist of Concern of the Comelec like Toledo, Sta. Fe and Pinamungajan have expressed their willingness to sign a peace covenant with their opponents to ensure a peaceful election.
Gujilde said whether or not candidates would sign such a commitment, it would still be subject for verification.
“I hope it helps,†said Gujilde.
Meanwhile, Gujilde said that Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, incumbent Mayor Jennifer Illustrisimo can still try again if wants to get police escorts, but this would have very slim chances.
Illustrisimo earlier said that she is still hoping to get police escorts from the Comelec considering the incident in 2007 when her father-in-law was shot dead in front of the Comelec office inside the compound of the Provincial Capitol.
Illustrisimo, who is running for re-election, said that she is still worried about her safety which is why she requested for police escorts from the Comelec.
The Comelec earlier stressed that only incumbent governors and members of the House of Representatives will be granted police escorts. Apart from them, other candidates who will be requesting for security detail would be provided security guards from private companies.
Gujilde explained that limiting of police escorts is done so more police personnel can be detailed in more areas.
“Probably on the very extreme cases, we would never know,†said Gujilde who admitted that there has not been an instance yet where the Comelec has deviated from their regulations. (FREEMAN)