Pampanga candidates sign peace agreement

By Ding Cervantes and RicSapnu

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – At least 5,703 local candidates in Pampanga signed a peace covenant on Tuesday to ensure clean, peaceful and orderly elections in the province.

Reelectionist Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and her son, Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, who are running unopposed, led the signing of the covenant at the Bren Guiao Convention Center.

Officials of the police, military, Commission on Elections (Comelec), Department of the Interior and Local Government as well as representatives of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting attended the event.

Arayat, Mexico and Masantol towns in Pampanga are among the areas in Central Luzon on the election watchlist of the Comelec and the police.

Lydia Pangilinan, Comelec regional director, warned  local candidates against posting campaign materials before the start of the campaign period on March 26.

Pangilinan said candidates should also file their campaign expenditures not later than July 8.

“Your expenditures will be strictly monitored and any violation may result in disqualification,” she said.