ELECTION WATCH
No ‘bad blood’ for warring Lezo rivals
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

WE LOVE PEACE. Lezo mayoralty candidate Victor Fernandez (Kampi) assures his townmates of a peaceful and orderly elections (BRZabal)

LEZO, Aklan – There is no “bad blood” when two warring political candidates met at St. Isidore church here for the covenant signing Sunday morning.
Victor Fernandez (Kampi), a three-termer mayor from 1995 to 2001, is challenging barangay captain Alejandro Arcenio Sr (Liberal Party), the elder brother of Mayor Fred Arcenio.
In 2004 elections, Fred Arsenio and vice mayor Fernandez were Tibyog Akean party mates, but they parted ways due to political differences and old rivalries.
In the peace covenant signing officiated by Rev. Fr. Carlos Retorico, 17 Sangguniang Bayan candidates were present. Vice mayoral bets Philip John Buenaflor (Liberal) and Llane Denosta (Kampi) also joined the covenant signing.
“Despite the intense political rivalries, our Tibyog Akean team in Lezo respects the peace agreement,” Fernandez said.
The event was witnessed by members of Aklan Police and Defense Press Corps, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) and the Aklan United Media Association.
Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr, acting Aklan police director, also welcomed the peace covenant signing of local candidates to prevent election-related violence.
The town of Lezo is among the areas of concern aside from the towns of Buruanga, Libacao, Madalag, Ibajay and New Washington closely monitored by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
KBP Aklan chapter chairman and DyRG station manager Augusto Tolentino said the peace pact is crucial to avert violence among sympathizers and candidates that tend to disrupt the holding of peaceful, honest, orderly and free elections.
“The signing of covenant is sacred, a pledge of non-violence and mutual respect for the outcome of May 14 elections before God and the folks of Lezo,” he added.
Last week, local candidates of the town of Buruanga also joined the peace covenant signing following the indiscriminate firing incidents in Brgy. El Progreso.
A peace covenant signing will also be held on April 30 in the town of Ibajay between reelectionist mayor Roberto Garcia Jr and businesswoman Lourdes Martin-Miraflores, wife of incumbent Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores.