Tacloban poll bets vow to follow rules, ink peace pact

CANDIDATES seeking for various elective posts in Iloilo City vowed to “play by the rules,” a promise they made during Thursday’s signing of the peace covenant in relation to the May midterm election.

The signing of the covenant, held at the Santo Niño Church around 3 p.m. was the first time that the candidates, who are seeking for the City Government posts, gathered together.

Also present was Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (1st ditrict, Leyte), who is running unopposed.

Reelectionist Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his closest pursuer outgoing Representative Florencio Noel both vowed not to commit any acts that could violate the terms contained under the covenant that they have signed.

“I always follow the rules in elections; I always do,” Romualdez, seeking for a possible third and last term as chief executive, said.

Noel, who is on his last term as An Waray party-list representative and running as an independent, also vowed to observe the covenant.

“As we have promised and signed with the covenant, we will not play outside the rules set up by the by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). I am happy to be part of this exercise,” Noel said.

Outgoing councilor and vice mayoral candidate Jerry Yaokasin expressed his optimism that all the candidates who signed the covenant have realized its significance on the hope of the poll body to achieve peaceful and credible elections.

“We hope that all the candidates will abide all the provisions of the covenant that we have just recited and signed in front of the Church, in front of the people,” Yaokasin, who is also running as an independent, said.

Under the commitment signed by the candidates, they were prohibited not to resort from using guns, goons and gold and mudslinging just to win votes, among others.

Of the 38 candidates seeking for council seats, only 21 of them were present. Among those who did not appear during Thursday’s covenant signing were reelectionist Councilors Edwin Chua, Frederick Chua and Jeric Dane Granados, all in the lineup of Mayor Romualdez.

City elections officer Rosemarie Ann Polistico said she is upbeat that all candidates, including those who did not showed up, would follow to the letter of the covenant that they have just signed.

“Of course, I expect them to follow the covenant especially so they have signed it here inside the Church,” Polistico said.

Polistico also said she was not disappointed that some of the candidates did not show up, however, she said that they were informed one week ahead of the schedule.

Prior to the signing of the covenant, a Holy Mass was held and celebrated by parish priest Monsignor Alex Opiano and assisted by seven of his assisting priests.

The more than two-hour activity was attended by the supporters of the candidates who applauded and clapped every time their names were mentioned on their way to signing of the covenant. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)