Thirteen of 41 candidates for various provincial posts in Negros Occidental pledged to conduct their campaigns with integrity and to respect the outcome of the May 12 elections.
The 13 candidates made the pledge during the signing of a covenant for clean, honest and peaceful elections at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City on Thursday, Feb 13.
They committed to focus on their respective platforms of government and to refrain from attacking the personal lives of fellow candidates during the campaign period.
They also pledged to avoid vote-buying, all forms of election fraud and the use of threats, and to refrain from spending beyond what is lawfully permitted during the campaign.
The candidates also committed to accept nobly the results of the election and to respect whatever will be the decision of the people in the May 12 polls.
The candidates who signed the covenant were Ferdenand Diego who is running for governor, Rosemarie Dreyfus – vice governor, congressional bets Javier Miguel Benitez – 3rd District, Lea Delfinado – 4th District, and Emilio Bernardino Yulo – 5th District;
Board Member candidates Laurence Marxlen dela Cruz – 1st District, Sixto Guanzon Jr. and Arthur Christopher Marañon – 2nd District, Hope Marey Sazon – 3rd District, Patricia Paula Valderrama, Leo Carlo Delfinado and Nicholas Yulo – 4th District, and Aly Tongson Jr. – 5th District.
Ian Lee Ananoria, Negros Occidental provincial elections supervisor, stressed the need to campaign with integrity, focusing on the issues that matter most to the people.
He also stressed the need to respect the outcome of the elections, win or lose, because the voice of the people is the voice of democracy.
“We pledge to reject any and all forms of violence and intimidation, and to work together to ensure that our elections are a true reflection of the will of the people,” he said.
Col. Rainerio de Chavez – police provincial director, Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog – 303rd Brigade commander, and Commodore Jan Terazona – Philippine Coast Guard Northern Negros Occidental acting commander, also pledged to do their part to keep the elections honest and peaceful.
De Chavez said “this covenant serves as a pledge to foster an environment where every individual’s right to vote is respected, ensuring a safe and orderly election this 2025”.
“It symbolizes collaboration among all stakeholders, signifying our united stand against electoral violence and misconduct”, he said.
The peace covenant ended with the participants releasing white balloons and signing Pilipinas Kung Mahal”.
Yulo said he joined the covenant signing to support the call for orderly and peaceful elections.
“This is an exercise in democracy and the people’s choice will always prevail,” he said.
Benitez said “I hope we have very peaceful and democratic elections. We need the mandate of the people to govern.”
He also reiterated his call for candidates not to put their campaign materials on trees, especially along the highways.*