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NegOr candidates renew vow to preserve poll integrity



SIBULAN, Negros Oriental, April 26 (PIA) -- Political candidates in Negros Oriental renewed their commitment to uphold the integrity of the electoral process with the signing of the Covenant for Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful, and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections.

The ceremonial signing was held at the provincial headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on April 25 with the presence of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner George Erwin Garcia, PBGen. Eduardo Roque Vega PNP Regional Office (PRO-7), and LTG. Robert Dauz, commander of the Visayas Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Prominent political figures in Negros Oriental including incumbent Governor and re-electionist Roel Degamo, incumbent 3rd District Representative and re-electionist Arnie Teves, incumbent Vice-Governor and gubernatorial aspirant Mark Macias, vice-gubernatorial candidate Erwin Macias, 2nd district representative candidate George Arnaiz, and other candidates for the board member down to local chief executive positions joined the activity.

Political candidates also vowed not to use force, intimidation, fraud, and violence for their political interests and never resort to any forms of vote-buying before and during the elections.

Garcia expressed his hopes that the politicians who joined the activity will show sincerity in their actions and obedience to the pledge.

“Iyong effectiveness ng ganito ay nakadepende sa compliance ng bawat isa, nakadepende sa konsiyensya ng bawat isa. Isipin niyo po nandito ang military. Nandito ang PNP. Sinasabi (nila) huwag kayong manggulo (The effectiveness of this activity will depend on the compliance and conscience of every politician. The military and the PNP are here reminding them not to cause any harm),” Garcia said.

He also urged the public not to vote for candidates who will resort to any act of intimidation or vote-buying on Election Day.

“Ito po ang pakiusap ko sa mga kababayan natin. Iboboto niyo po ba ang mga politikong manggugulo lang sa atin sa halalan? (Iyong) hindi kayo papayagan makaboto o bibilhin lamang ang inyong boto? Ang iboboto natin base sa dikta ng konsensiya niyo. Under the constitution, the right to suffrage is a right. It’s not an obligation (This is my appeal to the public. Will you vote for a politician that would cause harm on Election Day? Those who would prevent you from voting or those who would buy your votes? Let’s vote for the candidate who is dictated by our conscience),” he added.

Meanwhile, Dauz cited that the success of the campaign to preserve the integrity of the elections will also depend on the cooperation of every stakeholder involved in the polls. 

“This initiative to mitigate election-related violence will not be successful without the cooperation and commitment of political candidates and our constituents to adhere to the pledge for a safe, accurate, free and fair national and local elections,” Dauz said, echoing the message of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino.

On the other hand, Vega underscored the PNP's and the security sector’s commitment to secure the province on Election Day.

“Your PNP will be here to uphold peaceful and orderly election and we will continue to develop contingencies against threats from criminal elements,” he said. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)

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