Aklan poll bets forge covenant for 2010 polls
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – To ensure a peaceful, orderly and honest May 10, 2010 election, local candidates here signed a peace covenant on Wednesday morning at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral.
Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores (Lakas Kampi), Governor Carlito Marquez (Lakas Kampi) and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo (Nacionalista Party) and all political aspirants under their ticket joined the covenant signing after the mass celebrated by Diocesan Administrator Fr. Ulysses Dalida.

The peace covenant was facilitated by representatives of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Diocese of Kalibo, Aklan Police Provincial Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Aklan Press Club, Aklan United Media Association, Aklan Police and Defense Press Corps and poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.
Among the signatories of the peace covenant are independent gubernatorial candidate Leovigildo Mationg, vice gubernatorial bet Roberto Garcia, Jr. of PMP-PDP Laban, Kalibo mayoral candidates Mark Quimpo of Liberal Party, Efren Fernandez of Grupong Handum, William Lachica of Bigkis Pinoy and Pablo Beltran, Kalibo vice mayoral candidates Madeline Regalado, Immanuel Sodusta, Robert Mejes and Gregorio Malapad.

The candidates, who joined the covenant and affixed their signatures, vowed not to engage in unlawful acts and mudslinging to garner votes, instead, focus on their platform of government in this year's automated polls.

Kalibo’s Sangguniang Bayan and Sangguniang Panlalawigan candidates also signed the peace covenant, which was personally witnessed by Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 deputy director for Administration Chief Supt. Artemio Hicban, Comelec regional director Dennis Ausan, KBP Aklan chapter chairman Augusto Tolentino, AUMA president Winston Carillo and Aklan police director Senior Supt. Epifanio Bragais, Jr.

Former Manila treasurer Anthony Acevedo, who is also vying for the gubernatorial seat, was absent.

Hicban, in his message, lauded the covenant signing initiative in keeping peace and order during the elections in Aklan.

"This covenant signing ceremony is indicative of our conviction that we are one people with one vision for our one province. We are here because of our desire for peace, especially in this election period," he said.

Hicban said the peace pact undertaking is a manifestation that those seeking for elective positions adheres to election laws for an honest, orderly and peaceful elections.
Tolentino also reminded the candidates to respect the peace covenant for an honest election and to safeguard the sanctity of ballot.