Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda and governor-wannabe Danilo Baylon sign peace covenant.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda on Friday led 336 candidates who signed an integrity pledge that committed to a Secure, Accurate, Free and Fair Elections (SAFE) this May 9.
The candidates who came are vying for positions as lawmakers, party list nominees, governors, board members, mayors, vice mayors and councilors in three cities and 19 towns comprising the province’s four districts.
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is running unopposed for a congressional seat, signed the covenant earlier. Pineda’s lone rival, Danilo Baylon, joined the event and signed the pledge.
For reasons unknown, 188 bets did not come to the event organized by the Commission on Elections and the Department of Interior and Local Government, said DILG provincial director Myrvi Fabia.
“Ang dasal ko ay maging tahimik ang halalan natin sa Pampanga,” the governor told reporters after signing the pledge.
Atty. Rommel Rama, provincial election director in Pampanga, reported that there are no election hotspots in the province. But the Comelec, police, and military were “closely monitoring” the situation, he said.
The national and local elections in Pampanga were expected to be peaceful because the province has “no communist-terrorist groups, private armed groups or criminal gangs or intense political rivalries,” according to Col. Robin Sarmiento, provincial police director.
Rama said the candidates who attended the forum received briefings on Comelec Resolution No. 10732 on campaigning, the Fair Election Act and calendar of activities.
Board Member Rosve Henson, a mayoralty candidate in the City of San Fernando, thanked the Comelec for initiating the signing of the integrity pledge, adding it is part of efforts to ensure peace and respect for right of voters to choose their candidates. Pooled news
*All photos by Bong Lacson
