Mabalacat candidates sign peace covenant

MABALACAT CITY -- Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales led Thursday other candidates vying for different positions in this new component city in signing a peace covenant.

Superintendent Ferdinand Perez, Mabalacat chief of police, said they have coordinated with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to ensure a peaceful election.

Before the signing, the candidates attended a mass celebrated by Monsignor Ed Laxamana.

There were no election-related incidents in this city.

Morales said they signed the covenant as a manifestation of their commitment to ensure a peaceful, honest, and orderly election.

Morales, a candidate of Kabilan Party, will be opposed by Vice Mayor Noelito Castro of the Liberal Party and Nolito Castro Jr. of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

According to Morales, the covenant signing is an assurance that the elections here will be peaceful.

“In my 17 years as mayor of Mabalacat, there has been no election-related violence,” the mayor said.

He also urged other candidates to observe the policies of the Comelec, including the gun ban in order to prevent crimes related to election.

“Dapat ma-enforce ang gun ban dahil maganda ang mapayapa. After all, it is the people who will decide on who will lead them,” Morales said. “We are in a government of the people, for the people and by the people. All power and authority emanates from them.” (Reynaldo G. Navales)