Castro, Contreras Skip Peace Covenant Signing

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Two gubernatorial candidates, including re-electionist Governor Fredenil Oto Castro, were absent from the Peace Covenant Signing for the 2025 National and Local Elections held on March 9 at Robinsons Mall in Barangay Lawaan, Roxas City.

Former Governor Esteban Evan “Nonoy” Contreras, who is seeking to reclaim his former post, also did not attend the event, which was organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Army, and other concerned sectors.

For the vice gubernatorial race, only incumbent and re-electionist Vice Governor James Mitang Magbanua was present, while his opponent, former Second District Board Member Eleuper “Bulilit” Martinez, was also absent.

Re-electionist Second District Rep. Jane Tan Castro was not in attendance, but her counterparts in the First District, Paolo Roxas and Howard Guintu, were seen speaking briefly after the signing.

Guintu, an incumbent Pinuno Party-list representative, expressed gratitude for the event, saying it allowed candidates to interact with both their opponents and the public.

Candidates for provincial board member positions in both the First and Second Districts of Capiz were also present.

The peace covenant signing aims to ensure honest, transparent, fair, peaceful, and orderly elections on May 12, 2025.

Comelec remains hopeful that the May 2025 midterm elections in Capiz will be free from vote-buying, intimidation, and deception.

A similar event for mayoral, vice mayoral, and city council candidates will be held at the same venue on March 21, 2025.