Mt Province Kalinga poll bets sign peace covenants

By Gina Dizon, Gilbert Tadiwan and Ian Addatu

Mountain Province and Kalinga candidates vying for top positions in the May 14 polls signed peace covenants to refrain from violence and work for peace in their respective provinces.

In Bontoc, Mountain Province, nine candidates in the provincial level signed pact for “secure and fair elections (SAFE)”.

The  SAFE 2013 covenant  was signed  by  congressional candidates MaximoDalog, Eugenia Manao for Roy Manao and  Tess Zarate for Jupiter Dominguez; governor candidates  Leonard Mayaen, Harry Dominguez, and  Pio Kidpo for  Arnulfo Pilando; and board member candidates Florence Taguiba, Angelo Fongafong,  and Randolph Awisan here at the Philippine National Police  hall  last April 5.

Said covenant was witnessed by provincial election supervisor Nicasio Jacob, Provincial PNP   Director William Viteno, Provincial director of the department of interior and local government Anthony Ballug and Battalion Commander Francisco Millare of the 54rth IB of the Philippine Army.

The covenant bound candidates “not to corrupt any voter, nor impose their will upon him by way of force or violence, threat or intimidation in any manner impart freedom of choice”.

The candidates also agreed that they shall abide by the rules not carrying fire arms and other deadly weapons.

Congressional candidate Jupiter Dominguez in his message read by Zarate reminded the public of the “dark side of ambition” exhibited during the May 2010 elections.  

On May 2010,  a PICOS machine was burned at  sitio ApalisParacelis  and  seven men arrested with guns and live  rounds of ammo loaded in three vehicles- hi lux, estrada and  pajero-  with one of the captured guns registered to Maximo Dalog as certified by  the National Police Commission . 

“The planners of deploying that armed convoy in Paracelis should have thought three times  over the long lasting effect  of their actions  to our culture”, Dominguez stated.

The gun ban case filed by the Philippine Army here at the  Prosecutor’s Office in Bontoc is now being heard at the Regional Trial Court here after it was  moved  to the jurisdiction of  then State Prosecutor Ceasar Nonnatus Roxas assigning  Prosecutor  Elmer  Sagsago  of Baguio City  to  Atty Elizabeth Bringas  of Vigan and back to the RTC here due to motions of  inhibition of  assigned prosecutors.

Covenant also called on following rules on prohibited and illegal propaganda in the “spirit of good grace and friendly rivalry”.

Comelec Resolution 9615 prohibits the posting of campaign materials in “waiting sheds, sidewalks and lampposts, electric posts and wires, traffic signage and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers and underpasses, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads and highways.”

Jacob reminded  candidates to  have oversized  streamers  be  removed  otherwise  the  Comelec  shall do the necessary  removal  with charges of  Comelec rule violations. 

Comelec rules stipulate posters should not exceed 2ft x 3feet  and streamers in headquarters not to exceed  3 ft by 8 ft.

Though Harry Dominguez said in jest there was no need for posters much as people know the candidates.

Jacob also reminded candidates that Comelec  guidelines shall be followed when Dalog asked that rules be relaxed. 

Mayaen called for the rule of law and the word of God in the conduct of elections.  

Tabuk City, Kalinga, the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, religious sectors and candidates also signed a peace covenant to promote peace and order this election season.

Col. Roger Salvador, 501 brigade commander said in his message that the PNP and AFP have come up with the peace covenant in partnership with religious sectors because he knew that religious sectors are trusted by the people and have a vital role in influencing masses and candidates to support the attainment of peace and order in the province.

PNP Kalinga provincial director Lawrence Perez said the peace covenant would be a boost in maintain peace this election.

Bishop Rodencio Andaya in his speech also expressed sincere support in the peace covenant program of the PNP and AFP saying God wanted people to unite and love one another.