Samar bets, execs sign pact for peaceful polls

TACLOBAN CITY—Authorities in Catbalogan City, Samar signed Tuesday a covenant for an honest, fair, and orderly 2022 elections.

Present at the signing were Gov. Michael Reynolds Tan, who is running for Samar’s second congressional district; Rep. Sharee Ann Tan, who is seeking the gubernatorial post against Gemma Zosa; and Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento of Samar’s first congressional district, whose post is being challenged by Stephen James Tan.

Also present were those seeking the posts of vice-governor and provincial board members.

Elections Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said he was glad that the candidates agreed to sign the covenant.

“Our chairman (Saidamin Pangarungan) promised that we will ensure full transparency (in the conduct of the) elections,” he said.

Philippine National Police Chief Dionardo Carlos and Armed Force of the Philippines Chief of Staff Andres Centino also guaranteed a peaceful election.

Carlos, who once served as Eastern Visayas police director, lauded the move of the candidates.

“We ask the voting public, the candidates, and other stakeholders to be with us to ensure that the conduct of the elections will be peaceful and orderly,” he said.

Centino said that he had directed all ground commanders to organize units that would be ready to address any possible election-related incident.

In previous elections, Samar has been tagged as a hot spot due to killings perpetrated by either private armed groups or members of the New People’s Army.

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