43 Negros Occ bets sign peace covenant

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A total of 43 local candidates in Negros Occidental, including candidates for governor and vice governor, have signed a peace covenant at the San Sebastian Cathedral in this city yesterday.

Leading the signing were Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. who is seeking reelection, and Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr. who is challenging him.

Alvarez of Nationalist People’s Coalition, was endorsed by NPC founder and chairman emeritus, Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., considered a political kingmaker in Negros. But Marañon, who runs under the United Negros Alliance (UNA), is unfazed by Cojuangco’s endorsement of Alvarez, saying the people of Negros will surely choose him because of his good governance.

Alvarez and his running-mate. former San Carlos City mayor Eugenio Jose Lacson, was endorsed by Liberal Party chairman and Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Frank Drilon during his visit here last Feb. 22.

Lacson and Marañon’s running-mate Provincial Board Member Melvin Ibañez, also signed the covenant, along with 24 candidates for the PB and 15 others for congressman.

Only reelectionist Rep. Jules Ledesma (1st district), Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (5th dist.) and Rep. Albee Benitez (3rd dist.) were not able to come but had their own valid reason. Benitez is still abroad and promised that when he gets back, he will sign the covenant.

Prior to the pact signing, a mass was officiated by Fr. Ernie Larida, director of the Social Action Center, who blessed the candidates for guidance of the Holy Spirit to do what is right and proper during the campaign period and election day.

Larida relayed the message of Bishop Vicente Navarra that candidates should faithfully follow what they signed just like God who never abandoned his covenant with the people, and to uphold the peaceful, honest, accurate and meaningful election.

Chief Supt. Manuel Felix, Police Regional Office-6 deputy director for administration, represented regional director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz during the covenant signing.

Felix, relaying the message of Cruz, said election is a gift of democracy and manifests the basic principle that the power resides in the people. “We remind our candidates to obey the Constitution, Laws and Ordinances including COMELEC resolutions,” he said, while daring them to condemn any act that threatens, forces or intimidates the public.

“We will not let up in our protective police operations. We in the PNP and  AFP as deputized agencies of the Comelec that we will always be in our toes to ensure that the candidates and voters are secured as they exercise their right to vote or be voted upon,” Cruz said.

Marañon said he signed the covenant to show his sincerity to the people that he is for a clean, honest, peaceful and orderly election.

Vice Governor Alvarez, for his part, said there was nothing to worry because he has no “guns, goons and gold.” He came to sign the peace covenant yesterday and even tapped and hugged Marañon, his political rival and friend.

Those who signed the covenant were: 1st District congressional candidate Nehemias dela Cruz;  2nd District congressional bet Leo Rafael Cueva; 3rd district bet Jose Carlos Lacson; 4th District reelectionist Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer and his challenger lawyer Ike Barredo, 5th District congressional bet Dino Yulo and 6th District reelectionist Rep. Mercedes Alvarez and her rival Philip Arles.

Last Feb. 21, local candidates in Bacolod have signed a peace covenant at the public plaza. Candidates from Moises Padilla and San Carlos had also signed a peace covenant in their respective places.  (FREEMAN)