Peace covenant signing starts today

LAWYER Wil Arceno, provincial Comelec supervisor, is urging all candidates for the 2013 elections to participate in the signing of the peace covenant that will start today, Thursday.

The signing of the peace covenant kicks off today in Bacolod City and Moises Padilla town.

The peace covenant is geared to get their commitment for clean, honest, peaceful and credible elections, Arceno said.

Arceno presided over the Provincial Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council meeting held at the conference room of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo) Thursday.

Arceno said while the peace covenant signing is voluntary for the candidates, the Comelec will announce to the public those candidates who will not participate in the activity.

In Bacolod City, the candidates and their supporters will hold a walk-for-a-cause from the Provincial Capitol Lagoon to the Bacolod City Public Plaza where the signing of the peace covenant is scheduled at 4 p.m.

In Moises Padilla town, the signing of the peace covenant will be held at the Roman Catholic church in the locality at 3 p.m.

The same signing of the peace covenant is also scheduled in San Carlos City on February 22, February 28 in Don Salvador Benedicto, March 14 in Sagay City, March 18 in Calatrava, March 19 in Toboso, March 20 in Manapla and March 21 in Escalante City.

The signing of the peace covenant for the provincial candidates for governor, vice governor, provincial board members and congressmen in the six congressional districts is scheduled on March 1.

Colonel Oscar Lactao, 303rd brigade commander, said the peace covenant will ensure that all candidates adhere to uphold non violence in the conduct of the elections.

He said the signing of the peace covenant will be coordinated with the different local government units, as well as the Social Action Center of the dioceses in the different localities in the province and the assigned or deployed PNP and Army unit in the area.