A peace covenant initiated by the Laguna Provincial Police Office, in cooperation with COMELEC, was signed yesterday morning by local politicians in the province led by incumbent Gov. Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro.
Held at the Laguna Police Provincial Office in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, the covenant for an honest, orderly, and peaceful election was signed by rival candidates for Congressman, Governor, Vice-Governor, and Board Members through the presence of PNP Regional Director P/C SUPT. Nicasio J. Radovan (for Region IV-A CALABARZON), Provincial Director P/S Supt. Felipe Rojas, Jr., Phil. Army Division Commander Major Gen. Fernando L. Mesa of the 2nd Infantry Division in Tanay, Rizal, Provincial COMELEC Officer Atty. Dioscoro Pajutan, and other officials.
According to PNP, one of the peace covenant’s primary objectives is to provide a forum on how to avoid election violence and ask the candidates' commitment that they will respect each other's rights.
In an interview, Gov. Lazaro mentioned that the peace covenant was meant to make the local politicians agree not to use violence to advance their political agenda, to follow election laws, and behave properly during the election period.
Gov. Lazaro was with her fellow Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats) candidates during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing led by incumbent Board Member Marco Sison of Laguna’s First District as her Vice Governor; incumbent Board Member Ramon Carillo, Mr. Mac Tancinco, and Mr. Dave Almarinez for 1st District Board Members; incumbent Board Member Rolly Bagnes, former Board Member Johnny Unico, and Mr. Alvin Villa for 2nd District Board Members; Mr. Rey Paras, and Mr. Boyet Bueser for 3rd District Board Members; and incumbent Board Member Benedicto Mario Palacol, and actor Leandro Baldemor for 4th District Board Members. They were also joined by Congressional candidates Atty. Nereo Joaquin, Jr. for the 1st District; incumbent Congressman Atty. Justin Chipeco of the 2nd District; former Congressman Florante Aquino for the 3rd District; and incumbent Board Member Pinggoy Lagumbay for the 4th District. # (CHRIS SANJI)