DILG Sec. Roxas to lead covenant signing for peaceful elections

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
January 10, 2013

TACLOBAN CITY – Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will lead the signing of a covenant on April 13, 2013 for peaceful elections in the province of Samar.

This was revealed by Regional Director Pedro A. Noval Jr. of DILG, who added that this pact among rival politicians, initiated by the Commission on Elections and Philippine National Police among others, would be held at the Calbayog City cathedral and be blessed by no less than Most Rev. Isabelo C. Abarquez, Bishop, Diocese of Calbayog.

Candidates for governor, sangguniang panlalawigan, congress, mayor, city and municipal sanggunians in Samar are expected to join the pledge aimed at ensuring honest, orderly and peaceful elections on May 13, 2013. “This comes after Samar province was identified as one of the areas of concerns in the upcoming elections due to its history of heated electoral contests,” said Dir. Noval.

Upon arrival from Manila at about 9:00 in the morning, Secretary Roxas will meet with regional and provincial officials of DILG and its attached agencies before attending a forum with civil society groups. The covenant signing on the other hand will begin with a mass to be held at 10:00 AM. Samar elections supervisor Atty. Ma. Corazon Montallana will open the activity with some welcome remarks, followed by the Message of Secretary Roxas.

Pledges of Commitment will then be given by Comelec RD Jose Nick A. Mendros, RD Elmer R. Soria of the Philippine National Police, MajGen. Gerardo T. Layug, Commanding General of the 8th ID. After the blessing of the signed document, candidates will symbolize their intent to contribute to peaceful elections by releasing doves into the skies. Acting as master of ceremonies will be Atty. Fidel C. Amazona, City Election Officer of Catbalogan.

Organizers hope that with their public gesture of signing the agreement, as well as with the vigilance of media, civil society and of voters, candidates would match their words with actions to pursue peaceful and credible elections in the province.