Editorial: Stop, Cease, Fire

WILL they finally stop?

That is the $64-million dollar question after the peace covenant signing between candidates in Angeles City and the 1st District over the weekend.

The candidates signed a covenant for peaceful and fair polls, while actually being civil about it. There was tension in the room, yes, but we have to congratulate both camps for showing sportsmanship - at least during that day.

Camps of both incumbent Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan and mayoralty rival incumbent Congressman Tarzan Lazatin have started their bickering as early as October, to the disapproval and consternation of many.

But that did not stop them from engaging in a word war, which has lately bordered on the personal.

After the covenant, will they finally clean up their acts?

Mayor Ed said there is no need for a "ceasefire", because there is no ongoing war in the first place. Hmmm. Really?

Congressman Tarzan, meanwhile, has not made any statement on the ceasefire, yet. He's awfully being quiet about it, which makes one wonder.

Reading the papers make us think there is a dire need for a ceasefire, but then again, let's give both camps the benefit of the doubt.

We've noticed they've mellowed down a little, but there's no saying when they'll fire it up again.

They've actually been advised to tone down their press releases by concerned sectors, before things spin out of control and much damage has been done.

Maybe they've heeded to the request -- but only for a time.