Guv Calls on Candidates to Respect Each Other, Sign Peace Covenant

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — As the campaign period for local candidates approaches for the May 2025 midterm elections, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged all candidates to uphold mutual respect and participate in the upcoming peace covenant signing.

The signing event, set for Feb. 13, 2025, at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr., is a longstanding election tradition in the province.

“We always hold a peace covenant signing during the election period,” Lacson said, though he noted that he would be unable to attend due to a prior engagement in Manila.

Lacson emphasized the importance of civility in the electoral process, especially amid reports of vandalized campaign tarpaulins.

“In fact, I would like to call on all candidates to respect each other. I have heard about campaign tarpaulins being vandalized. You know, tarpaulins don’t win elections, but what’s important is respect. Let’s respect each other and show that in Negros, we can have a peaceful campaign and election,” he said.

Despite expecting a “noisy but peaceful” election, Lacson expressed confidence that the province will remain orderly during the polls.

He also urged candidates to attend the peace covenant signing, spearheaded by the Joint Provincial Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC).

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said that while attendance is voluntary, it would demonstrate the candidates’ commitment to fair and peaceful elections.

“It is good if they attend, as it shows their willingness to participate in Comelec activities and collaborate with other stakeholders,” Ananoria said.

Invited to the peace covenant signing are candidates running for gubernatorial, board member, and House of Representatives positions.

The Comelec, in partnership with the police and the Philippine Army, has also started peace covenant signings at the city and municipal levels, more than a month before the local campaign period begins on March 28.

By signing the peace covenant, candidates pledge to:

• Uphold and follow Comelec regulations
• Campaign fairly and present their platforms without personal attacks
• Ensure clean and transparent elections by rejecting vote-buying, fraud, and intimidation
• Accept election results with integrity and full respect for the people’s decision

Earlier, re-electionist Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo led a unity walk and peace covenant signing in her town, alongside her husband, Felix Matias Segundo Feria Yulo III, her vice mayoralty candidate, and their full slate of councilor aspirants.

Peace covenant signings were also held in Valladolid and E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental.

The JPSCC, composed of the Comelec, Philippine Army, Coast Guard, and PNP, will meet next week to resolve discrepancies in the declaration of election areas of concern in Negros Occidental.

The Comelec central office has so far identified five election areas of concern in the province, while the PNP has declared none.

Ananoria said the JPSCC aims to reach a unified assessment on whether there are election hotspots in the province.