BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Local candidates for the May 9 synchronized elections in EB Magalona and Silay City, Negros Occidental, pledged to ensure peaceful and orderly elections in their respective areas by signing the peace covenant, an activity organized by the Commission on Election, Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police.
The peace covenant signing in EB Magalona was attended yesterday by incumbent Mayor Marvin Malacon, who is unopposed, his running mate, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac and his opponent Atty. Nemesio Lamonte and 12 other councilor aspirants.
PCapt. Eric Doronilla, EB Magalona police chief, said that the candidates signed an integrity pledge to uphold clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful elections in the municipality.
The activity at the covered court of EB Magalona public plaza was also witnessed by representatives of the 79th Infantry Battalion, PNP, religious sector, Department of Education, and Bureau of Fire and Protection, among others.
On January 28, 27 candidates in Silay City also reaffirmed their pledge for peaceful and honest elections in the city.
The signing of peace covenant was held at the San Diego Pro-Cathedral in Silay City, attended by Mayor Mark Golez and his opponent, former Vice Mayor Joedith Gallego, and their respective candidates for vice mayor and councilor positions.
The candidates vowed to focus on their respective platforms of governance and refrain from attacking the personal lives of fellow candidates, to avoid vote-buying and all forms of election fraud as well as the use of threats, refrain from spending beyond what is lawfully permitted during the campaign, be willing to be held accountable for the actions of their election and campaign leaders, and to graciously accept the results of the May 9 elections.*
