THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) urged the local candidates to respect and observe the peace covenant they signed to ensure peaceful, clean and honest elections in May 2025.
Capt. Ma. Liberty Indiape, spokesperson of BCPO, said several local candidates running for congressman, mayor and councilor joined a prayer for peace and peace covenant signing with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at BCPO headquarters on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
The activity was initiated by the BCPO led by Col. Joeresty Coronica, BCPO director, in coordination with the Comelec led by Acting City Election Officer Revo Sorbito and Negros Occidental Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria.
Among those who signed the peace covenant were mayoral candidate Bacolod City Rep. Greg Gasataya, congressional candidates, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and former mayor Evelio Leonardia, vice mayoral aspirants Councilors Renecito Novero and Claudio Jesus Puentevella, and several councilor aspirants.
The candidates pledged to focus on their respective platforms of government, avoid vote-buying, all forms of election fraud, and the use of threats, and to refrain from spending beyond what is lawfully permitted during the campaign.
They also pledged to be held accountable for the actions of the election campaign leaders and to accept the results of the election and to respect whatever will be the decision of the people.
They also assured the public they will ensure the prompt and accurate, reporting and disclosure of campaign-related expenses and not to offer or give bribes or gifts to corrupt the integrity of the democratic process. / MAP