After both candidates for the vacant Negros Occidental 5th district congressional seat had signed a peace covenant yesterday, Provincial Comelec supervisor Jessie Suarez enjoined the winner of the June 2 special election to be magnanimous in victory, and for the loser to have the fortitude to accept defeat.

Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol and his nephew, Board Member Emilio Yulo III, who are vying for the congressional seat, signed the peace covenant, that imposes voluntary obligation for them to obey Comelec rules and regulations governing the conduct of a peaceful, orderly, honest and credible election on Saturday.

The two candidates pledged to renounce the use of threats, violence, force, intimidation, partisan or private armed groups and other illegal means in furtherance of their political interest interests, as well as discuss only legitimate political issues and lay down platform of government through free and friendly manner.

Five days before the special election, Suarez said he expects emotions to run high, as people start to be irrational. This prompted him to appeal for both candidates to advise their supporters to be prudent and temperate in the conduct of the election campaign.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, and Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday assured the two candidates of the impartiality of the police and military in the election.

Aiming for zero violence in the June 2 special elections, Guisihan said “We will implement what should be done to make the election peaceful and orderly”.

Lactao said the Philippine Army pledged to ensure that the election will be peaceful, and is mobilizing about 700 Army soldiers and reservists in the 5th district for election duties.

Suarez also urged supporters of candidates to refrain from using gutter languages, which may hurt other people.

Before the signing of the peace covenant, Yulo claimed that “money politics” is overflowing in the district days before the election, although he did not elaborate on who are behind it.

Mirasol , shrugged off claims that they are distributing money in the district and asked, Why, is there any?

Yulo, who is being supported by the Nacionalista Party, reiterated his call to play politics based on issues and performance.

Mirasol, on the other hand, is being supported by the United Negros Alliance, Liberal Party and five of the six mayors in the 5th district of Negros Occidental, among others. * GPB

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