“Ipakita natin na ang Bataan ay masaya, maayos, maganda. Hindi dapat masira ang kanyang karagatan, kabundukan. Hindi ipagpapalit ang mga lupa dahil sa tubo at malaking kita. Hindi dudumihan ang hangin at tubigan,” the bishop of the Diocese of Balanga told candidates.
He said that the welfare of the citizens should be the priority above oneself. “Illegal gambling, illegal logging and mining ruin the moral fiber of society. Anyone who chooses to campaign for the destruction of Bataan only thinks of himself,” Santos said.
He urged local candidates that all actions and decisions should be about the good of the community more than oneself, more than the interest of others.
The prelate said there are different candidates who may be expressing different views but should do and promise only one thing – to love Bataan and serve the people of Bataan.
Santos, in what he described as his long sermon, asked candidates to be reminded of the 3 K’s – Karangalan ng Panginoon, Kabutihan ng Bataan at Kaligtasan ng bawat isa at ng kaluluwa.
Present in the peace covenant signing were Gov. Albert Garcia, 1st District congressional rivals Hermosa Mayor Danilo Malana and transgender woman Geraldine Roman and candidates for members of the sangguniang panlalawigan in the 1st and 2nd districts.
Garcia is running unopposed in his second term as governor.
Senior Supt. Rhodel Sermonia, provincial police director, the Philippine Army, City Election Officer Melanio Sibayan and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting initiated the peace covenant.
