Ifugao poll bets sign integrity pledge

By Daniel B. Codamon

LAGAWE, Ifugao --Candidates running for various positions in the province  recently gathered at Provincial Capitol for unity walk and  signing of  “integrity pledge” in conduct of coming May elections.

Department of Interior and Local Government provincial director Rosario Dumelod administered the signing  of the pledge where  candidates vowed to respect the norms of conduct expected of public servants and committed themselves to run a clean campaign, observe fairness, common  decency, honesty and good faith.

They also promised to help ensure the conduct of a free, honest, peaceful and credible election through their words, actions, commitment to abide by the tenets of the Constitution, election laws, rules and regulations and respect the integrity of the electoral process.

 The candidates for governor who joined the event  were Samson Atluna, lawyer Eugene Balitang,  Jonathan Cuyahon,  Narciso Dunuan,  Vice Gov. Pedro Mayam-o  and incumbent Gov. Denis Habawel.  For Board Members  were Jeronimo  Bimmohya, Federico Juguiad Jr., Robert Mangyao, James Tayaban and Julio Tindungan.

There was no candidate for vice governor and congressman   who participated but some sent their representatives.

Meanwhile voters pledged to be responsible and principled citizens and will educate themselves and others about the issues at hand so that their votes will be meaningful and relevant in the exercise of their right of suffrage.

They also pledged to vote for candidates who will abide by the rules on campaigning and candidates who by words and actions renounce violence, coercion, vote-buying and corruption as means to win the election.

After the covenant signing, Provincial Election Supervisor Nicasio Jacob gave a briefing on the Omnibus Rules and Regulations Governing Campaign and Finance and Disclosure on 2016 election.

This activity was sponsored by the Dept. og Local government, Philippine National Police, Bureay of Fire Protection, Dept. of Labor and Employment, Philippine Statistics Authority, Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police Commission.