Pamintuan, Lazatin vow peaceful, fair polls

ANGELES CITY - Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Representative Carmelo Lazatin (1st district, Pampanga) and their respective political allies in the upcoming 2013 elections signed a peace covenant over the weekend at the Holy Rosary Parish Hall here, with each vowing to make the conduct of their respective campaigns here fair and peaceful.

Just before the signing, the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police and sector groups here led the unity walk that toured major thoroughfares of this city and was joined by students and supporters of Lazatin and Pamintuan's Partido Abe Kapampangan.

The event aimed to bring both camps into an understanding on the conduct of fair and peaceful campaign in what could be the most polarized mayoralty race this city has ever seen.

Hundreds joined the walk that ended at the Holy Rosary Parish grounds where the candidates from mayor, vice mayor to councilors exchanged pleasantries amid cheers from supporters.

Organizers of the event are hoping that signatories of the covenant would adhere to the agreement despite recent exchange of issues and diatribes between the two camps since the last months of 2012.

Mayor Pamintuan, in an interview, said he is optimistic that elections here would be peaceful and urged fellow candidates and supporters to refrain from using abusive tactics and propaganda in their campaigns.

"It is now time to just show our campaign agenda and engage the people in positive discourse. We hope that after the signing of the covenant would be a fair conduct of the campaign," Pamintuan added.

He said there is no ceasefire between him and Lazatin since "we are not at war."

"There is no need for a ceasefire because we are not at war," Pamintuan said, adding he will hold true to the contents of the covenant.

Lazatin is also optimistic that fellow candidates will seriously adhere to the contents of the covenant and ensure the conduct of fair and peaceful elections here.

Vice Mayoralty Candidates Jay Sangil, Mark Allen Sison and incumbent Vice Mayor Vicky Vega Cabigting also attended the event.

Meanwhile, Balibago barangay captain Rodelio Mamac, who is running for vice mayor here, said he is in support of the covenant.

Mamac was not able to attend the signing because of a prior commitment in relation to the birthday of President Benigno Aquino III.

"I strongly urge supporters of all parties in the upcoming elections to refrain from resorting to bad politics and ensure that we observe and maintain peaceful elections here in the city," Mamac said.

He said the peace covenant serves to remind candidates that they have a moral obligation to various sectors of the society here -- to set an example in the coming elections on how aspiring public officials should conduct themselves.