CABANATUAN CITY – A couple of doves? Dozens of white balloons? Candle lights? Novo Ecijanos, including politicians vying for various positions seem to be willing to offer every symbolic things, even a kilometer of walk, to underscore their love of peace in the face of the coming elections.
In a rare opportunity, Gov. Aurelio Umali and First District Rep. Josefina Manuel-Joson who will slug it out for the gubernatorial post in the May 13 midterm elections got close in front of the public to release doves that symbolized peace during the early morning peace covenant signing at Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park here Tuesday.
Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara of this city meanwhile had a handshake with Umali’s brother, 3rd district board member Anthony Emmanuel Umali after months of trading barbs over the former’s advocacy of converting this city into a highly urbanized city which the latter strongly opposed.
Senior Supt. Crisaldo Nieves, acting director of the Nueva Ecija police provincial office, said he felt the sincerity of “everyone” who participated in the activity that started with a kilometer of “unity walk” participated in by representatives of candidates from four political districts of Nueva Ecija as well as representatives from the non-government and government organizations.
“I think they were very sincere. In fact, their mere attendance is an indicator of their sincerity,” Nieves said of politicians from the camps of Umali, Joson and those running as independent candidates.
Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud, head of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting in the province, said the convergence of various political personalities and voters was “ a clear expression of one desire” of every Novo Ecijano and every Filipino citizen for a peaceful life.
“Sana ating pairalin at makamit itong ating hinahangad na pagkakaisa at buhay na matiwasay at makakamit lamang natin ito mga kapatid kung sa ating puso ay diringgin ang udyok ng Espiritu Santo na iaalay ang ating sarili sa makatotohanang paglilingkod ,” he said before lighting the unity candle from where Umali, Joson and their allies later lit up their own candles.
Everyone then released while balloons and signed a covenant on tarpaulins in front of the crowd.
In separate interviews, both Umali and Joson said their respective camps will not create any violence.
“Sigurado ko, dun sa parte namin ay matutupad (the covenant). Hindi ko malaman kung gaano ‘yung lalim ng commitment nitong ating mga katunggali,” Joson said.
Umali on the other hand said he has proved his love of peace since. “Kung meron man sigurong naghahangad ng kapayapaan sa lalawigan, ako na ‘yung unang una,” he said.
Nueva Ecija is a traditional election hot spot until the 2010 elections. It was named, however, as one of 15 provinces under priority areas by the Department of Interior and Local Government for the May 13 polls.
The peace and order in the province is now under the supervision of a regional special operations task group headed by Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario. Nieves is its deputy director.
