Gubernatorial rivals Palayan City Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas and Gov. Aurelio Umali do a fist bump after signing a peace covenant. Photo by Armand Galang
CABANATUAN CITY – Gubernatorial bets reelectionist Gov. Aurelio and Palayan City Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas on Tuesday headlined aspirants for various posts in their pledge for a safe, accurate and free elections (SAFE) in May.
In a program that started with a unity walk, the aspirants for governors, vice governors, sangguniang panlalawigan members, and representatives for Nueva Ecija’s four congressional districts also signed a peace covenant and released white balloons at the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office compound.
The activity, conducted a few days before the start of the official campaign period for local candidates, was spearheaded by the Commission on Elections, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, among others.
Reelectionist Vice Gov. Emmanuel Anthony Umali and his rival former Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson also signed the covenant before being photographed together. They also had selfies to the delight of the crowd.
Rivals Actor Rommel Padilla and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chair Alexander Balutan (1st District), Joselito Violago (2nd District), incumbent Rep. Rosanna Vergara and former Gov. Czarina Umali (3rd District), reelectionist Rep. Maricel Nagaño and Gapan City Mayor Emerson Pasual (4th District), also joined the event.
Central Luzon Police director Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay said the police will always be fair in discharging their functions towards SAFE national and local elections.
