Tarlac seeks to be model for secure, free polls

TARLAC CITY—Politicians in President Benigno Aquino III’s home province have pledged to abide by a peace covenant so Tarlac would become a model of peaceful elections in May.

Lawyer Emmanuel Ignacio, director of the Commission on Elections in Central Luzon, said it was the first such covenant to be signed in the country at the start of the year.

Ignacio told the candidates during the covenant signing last week at Tarlac Cathedral that they “should not be onion-skinned, not spend too much and should adhere to prohibitions of the law.”

On top of the six-point covenant is a promise by the candidates not to resort to violence and “respect and value life.”

Among the officials present were reelectionist Gov. Victor Yap of the Nationalist People’s Coalition; Vice Gov. Pearl Pacada of Lakas, who is running for governor; Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva of the Nacionalista Party, who is running for representative of the third district; and Clark Development Corp. Director Genaro Mendoza of the Liberal Party, who is seeking the mayoral seat of Tarlac City. Also present were  former city health officer Jerome Lapena of Lakas ng Demokratikong Pilipino), who is running for Tarlac City mayor, and former board member Alvin Belarmino of PDP-Laban-UNA, who is seeking his old post.

Absent were Tarlac Representatives Enrique Cojuangco, Susan Yap and Jeci Lapus, and Dr. Isa Cojuangco Suntay, a cousin of Mr. Aquino, who is running for governor as an independent.

Enrique “Kit” Cojuangco Jr., another cousin of Mr. Aquino, signed the covenant even as he is running unopposed for Tarlac vice governor.

The candidates were first asked to take an oath before their supporters by reciting the contents of the covenant before they signed a copy at the cathedral’s altar in the presence of Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinense. They later signed the covenant printed on huge tarpaulin posters.

The covenant bound the candidates to “believe in the sovereign will of the people” and “recognize that authority to govern comes from the Almighty and the people.” It also asked them not to engage in vote buying activities, fraud, terrorism and other acts that violate the election law.

The candidates agreed that they were “conveying the message to one and all that guns, goons and gold have no place in a free, democratic and just society where we belong, otherwise, we are ready to face the censure of the voting public and withdraw as a consequence for the elective positions we are aspiring for if we violate this covenant.”

After noting the proliferation of posters practically announcing their candidacies, Ignacio reminded them that the start of the official campaign period for local candidates is still on March 29.

He said candidates should be more conscientious on this issue, particularly the incumbents who have access to government resources.