Twenty-eight of the 36 political candidates running for different local elective posts in Iloilo City signed a peace covenant for secure and fair May 13 midterm elections.

Yesterday’s covenant signing held at the Jaro Gym in Jaro district, Iloilo City was the first of a series to be held all over Western Visayas, said Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr., Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 director. 

Those who signed were Rep. Jerry Trenas, former Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Rommel Ynion, Councilors Jeffrey Ganzon, Lyndon Acap, Rodel Agado and Joshua Alim, Eddie Banez, Love Jam Baronda, Rex Carton, Jose Maria Dela Llana, Jun Espinosa, Gerald Ganzon, Gold Gonzalez, Jason Gonzales, David Jamora, Deo Antonio Lamas, Mandrie Malabor, Ed Pama, Ed Penaredondo, Roming Rosales, Dwight Trasadas, Jay Trenas, Councilor Lex Tupas, Alan Zaldivar, Bryant Zulueta and Inday Lee Zulueta.

The PNP-initiated pledge signing was also witnessed by representatives from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the church sector, and the media.

The signed peace covenant etched on a tarpaulin will be displayed at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral.

Cruz said that the peace covenant signing will solicit the commitment of political candidates to play fair and avoid any act detrimental to the smooth conduct of the elections.

It underscores that political candidates “recognize that the power resides in the people and commit to obey the Constitution, laws, ordinances and Commission on Elections-issued resolutions.”

Also, the signatories promise to act with justice and fairness towards their fellow candidates.

Likewise, they will condemn any act that threatens, forces, or intimidates the public; and vow they won’t employ private armed groups and other illegal means to advance their personal interests.

"Sana maisapuso po ng bawat isa na maglalagda sa ating peace covenant ang diwa ng ganitong gawain," Cruz said.*