Candidates running for local positions in Bacolod City pledged peaceful polls during a covenant signing at Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) on Tuesday afternoon, March 18.

Twenty-five candidates signed the peace covenant to uphold the laws and resolutions for the conduct of clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful elections on May 12.

They signed in the presence of Bacolod City election officer Revo Sorbito, Negros Occidental election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria, and representatives of other concerned agencies.

In his message, BCPO Director, Colonel Joeresty Coronica, told the candidates that by affixing their signatures, they have declared that they will allow the voice of the electorate to prevail.

“This is a pledge of peace and integrity, and respect for the democratic process,” he said.

Coronica said the BCPO likewise reaffirms its commitment to ensure a safe electoral environment.

“We shall remain steadfast in our duty to protect our citizens, safeguard the sanctity of the ballots, and uphold the principles of democracy without bias or preference,” he added.

Among those who signed the peace covenant were mayoral candidate Greg Gasataya; congressional bets Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Evelio Leonardia; and vice mayoral aspirants Councilors Renecito Novero and Claudio Jesus Puentevella.

“I signed the covenant this afternoon and I assure the people of Bacolod that I will comply with it,” Gasataya said.

The candidates pledged to focus on their respective platforms of government and to refrain from attacking the personal lives of their opponents.

They vowed to avoid vote-buying and all forms of election fraud and the use of threats, and refrain from spending beyond what is lawfully permitted during the campaign.

The signatories promised to be held accountable for the actions of their campaign leaders and accept nobly the results of the election. (PNA)