CANDIDATES for Mandaue City’s elective posts set aside political differences and signed on Monday, Feb. 4, a peace covenant for a peaceful and orderly election this May.
City officials led by Mayor Luigi Quisumbing and Rep. Jonas Cortes (Cebu, 6th) and other stakeholders signed the covenant for peace initiated by the Mandaue City Police Office and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Mandaue City.
Quisumbing and Cortes, who are both running for mayor, have been trading barbs and questioned each other’s transactions in City Hall, but set all these aside during the event.
“I am thankful that this was organized because for me, we are all leaders. We’re here to be elected. Leadership is not about the next election. It is about the next generation. It is important that a peaceful election will be the key to the city’s growth,” Cortes said.
Quisumbing also vowed to keep the election fair and clean, emphasizing that his party members have been spared from controversies, particularly with regard to involvement in the illegal drug trade.
“I am hugely grateful for hosting today’s integrity pledge. I am happy to note that we are the only ticket in the City of Mandaue without any people who have been linked to the drug trade, and I hope the other candidates will make sure that they will put aside their activities in the drug trade and in protecting drug individuals, so that we can ensure that the will of the people and Mandaue will not be influenced,” he said.
Peace and order
The signing was held as police officials in the city requested the poll body to raise the city’s level from yellow to orange status after receiving reports of armed men in the city.
A yellow status means the area has a history of election-related violence while orange status means there is a presence of intense political rivalry, and armed or rebel group that politicians may employ in order to sow violence during the election period.
Senior Supt. Angelito Dumangeng, deputy regional director for operation of the Police Regional Office 7, said MCPO is the first in Central Visayas to hold a peace covenant.
He said whether or not the candidates support the peace initiative, they will continue to ensure that the coming polls will be peaceful and orderly.
Lawyer Anna Fleur Gujilde, Mandaue City election officer, said some independent candidates were unable to attend the activity but they can still sign the peace covenant later.
“This peace covenant is symbolic. It shows the support and commitment of candidates and all stakeholders that our election will be orderly, peaceful and clean,” Gujilde said. (from FMD of Superbalita Cebu, VLA)