CABANATUANCITY– Nueva Ecija politicians running for provincial positions, led by reelectionist Gov. Aurelio Umali and his rival Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson, signed a covenant for peace at the Maria Assumpta Seminary here Thursday.
The covenant is expected to thwart any untoward incident at the rundown of the May 2010 elections.
The signing, spearheaded by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), was witnessed by Bishops Sofronio Bancud of Cabanatuan and Mylo Hubert Vergara of San Jose City.
But fourth congressional district candidate, former Jaen Mayor Antonio Prospero Esquivel whose group engaged in a bloody encounter with Rep. Rodolfo Antonino’s group did not attend the signing. Antonino, a member of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane), was present.
Vice Governor Eduardo Joson IV also failed to attend the signing. He is running for the third congressional district against reelectionist Rep. Czarina Umali, wife of the governor.
Umali, gubernatorial candidate of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD and Partido Pagbabago and Joson of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija signed the “Tipan ng Kapayapaan” at the Ma. Assumpta Seminary along with their respective allies and fellow candidates from the other political parties.
Prior to the signing of the covenant, Bancud of the Diocese of Cabanatuan stressed that the pact should be a “covenant of spirituality” among the province’s political leaders.
He likened the peace covenant “as one that comes from God,” citing that God always is the initiator of the covenant with the Israelites as stated in the Holy Scriptures.
Wearing his trademark blue emblazoned with his name, Umali signed the covenant along with his wife, Czarina and the governor’s younger brother Emmanuel Anthony who is running for board member.
Edward Thomas Joson, in his usual white long-sleeved shirt and jeans, signed the covenant with his running mate, actor Robin Padilla and comebacking first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson and their allies.
The covenant is expected to thwart any untoward incident at the rundown of the May 2010 elections.
The signing, spearheaded by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), was witnessed by Bishops Sofronio Bancud of Cabanatuan and Mylo Hubert Vergara of San Jose City.
But fourth congressional district candidate, former Jaen Mayor Antonio Prospero Esquivel whose group engaged in a bloody encounter with Rep. Rodolfo Antonino’s group did not attend the signing. Antonino, a member of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane), was present.
Vice Governor Eduardo Joson IV also failed to attend the signing. He is running for the third congressional district against reelectionist Rep. Czarina Umali, wife of the governor.
Umali, gubernatorial candidate of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD and Partido Pagbabago and Joson of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija signed the “Tipan ng Kapayapaan” at the Ma. Assumpta Seminary along with their respective allies and fellow candidates from the other political parties.
Prior to the signing of the covenant, Bancud of the Diocese of Cabanatuan stressed that the pact should be a “covenant of spirituality” among the province’s political leaders.
He likened the peace covenant “as one that comes from God,” citing that God always is the initiator of the covenant with the Israelites as stated in the Holy Scriptures.
Wearing his trademark blue emblazoned with his name, Umali signed the covenant along with his wife, Czarina and the governor’s younger brother Emmanuel Anthony who is running for board member.
Edward Thomas Joson, in his usual white long-sleeved shirt and jeans, signed the covenant with his running mate, actor Robin Padilla and comebacking first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson and their allies.
