Candidates for various elective positions in the 1st Congressional District in Oriental Negros yesterday signed a covenant for free, credible, honest, orderly and peaceful elections after a dialog initiated by the provincial Philippine National Police office and the Commission on Elections.

The dialog was hosted by the local government of Guihulngan under Mayor Ernesto Reyes, and attended by PNP regional director Chief Supt. Silverio Alarcio Jr., who had just come from an inter-agency conference in Camp Crame on the 2007 elections. The candidates pledged to uphold the fundamental principle of democracy, respect the exercise of suffrage, respect the sacredness of the ballot, and uphold and abide with the principles of peace and lawfulness in their campaigns and partisan activities.

They also vowed to avoid at all cost the use of force, intimidation, fraud and violence for the advantage of their political interest, obey all rules and regulations and to observe fairness, justice and sportsmanship in dealing with their political opponents.

But the absence of a number of candidates for mayor and vice mayor caught the ire of those present.

Mayoralty candidates Bobby Jalandoni of Canlaon City and Bow Moreno of La Libertad lamented the absence of their respective opponents.

Provincial election officer Manuel Advincula said the covenant is binding only to candidates who have affixed their signatures.

Also present were SrSupt. Lani-O Neres, deputy regional director and task force HOPE or Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections commander; SrSupt Jose Cosio Jr, PCR chief in Region 7; regional operations officer Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas; Negros Oriental deputy provincial director Supt Alet Virtucio and election officers of the first district.

Earlier, an inter-agency integration and coordination workshop on the conduct of fraud free elections was conducted by the PNP, COMELEC and the Dr. Jovito Salonga Center for Law and Development at Silliman University.

The speakers included Silliman law dean Myles Bejar, law center director Mikhail Lee Maxino, Advincula, Buenafe and forum organizer Chito Katangkatang. Participants included Comelec officers, chiefs of police, military representatives, religious and business organizations, local government units and non-government organizations.*KG

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