Ilocos Sur poll bets sign peace covenant

By Mar T. Supnad.

CAMP QUIRINO, Bantay, Ilocos Sur -- Poll candidates and parties in the province have signed a peace covenant here last week at the provincial police headquarters to ensure honest and peaceful elections come May

The agreement was initiated by the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It was supervised by Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares, Jr., Region 1 police director and Comelec supervisor lawyer Marino Salas.

The peace accord was singed after the Comelec and PNP held an open forum among political candidates in the province.

Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina did not attend the covenant since she was running unopposed -- the first ever lady mayor here who broke the political history of this heritage city.
The longest serving mayor of Vigan, Medina served as nine years as mayor before she was replaced by her husband businessman Ferdie Madina, last 2004 to 2007.

Azares, a native of Barangay Raois of Vigan said even there was no peace accord he would see to it that there would be no trouble in the province considering that some candidates are also close relatives and do not want any bloodbath to happen.

So far, only one municipal candidate in Sta. town identified as Artemio Tugade was shot and killed by suspected gunmen a few days ago in what police described as either politically motivated or personal grudge.

Political kingpin Luis Chavit Singson, now running for governor, did not attend the covenant but sent his representative Raymund Tabios to sign on his behalf.

Among those who signed were Randy Baterina, running for congressman in First district, former congressman Mariano Tajon who is running for mayor in his town of Sto. Domingo; Germy Singson-Goulart who is running for mayor of Caoayan town; Lito Miranda who is running for mayor in Santiago town and Alex Bistoyong who is running for mayor in Suyo town, among others.