Leyte town candidates sign peaceful polls pact

SAN MIGUEL, Leyte March 11 (PNA) -- Local candidates here vowed to support the call for a secured and fair May 9, 2016 elections during the signing of peace covenant here on Wednesday.

During the signing, held at the town’s St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church, Leyte provincial elections supervisor Corazon Montallana reminded the 18 candidates and urged them to adhere to the rules before, during, and after the May 2016 polls

The election official administered the recital of “Integrity Pledge.”

Fr. Elmo Manching, head of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) of the Archdiocese of Palo, lauded the move of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“I am happy with the signing of the pledge of commitment, for all activities relative to the achievement of clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful elections,” Manching said.

For Monatallana, the signing is a momentous affair since it signaled the opening of the election period for the candidates who were present, as they have obligations to follow the rules and regulations, and fulfill the promise to the people.

She reminded that elections are not just for candidates. “It is also a coordination between the police, military, Comelec, teachers who will serve as board of election inspectors, and the people who will cast their votes.”

Mayor Cheeryl Enrica L. Esperas is hopeful that all the candidates present in the covenant signing will be true to their promise for a peaceful elections and that they do away from violence.

Esperas of the Liberal party is running for re-election against former Mayor Prospero Brazil of Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrat. (PNA)

FFC/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA