CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda on Friday expressed hope for peaceful and orderly polls this May 9 as he led 336 candidates in signing a covenant committing to a Secure, Accurate, Free and Fair Elections (SAFE).
“Ang dasal ko ay maging tahimik ang halalan natin sa Pampanga,” the governor told reporters after he signed an integrity pledge prepared by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). It was displayed at the stage of the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in this capital.
In December 2021, the governor who is seeking a second term had advised voters in Pampanga to “respect choices” and to “be cool-headed.”
The event, which was co-organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), drew bets who are running as lawmakers, party list nominees, governors, board members, mayors, vice mayors and councilors in three cities and 19 towns including four districts.
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is running unopposed for a congressional seat in second district, signed the covenant earlier.
A total of 188 bets did not come to the event, DILG provincial director Myrvi Fabia said.
Atty. Rommel Rama, provincial election director in Pampanga, reported “no election hotspots in the province.” Rama said the Comelec, police and military are closely monitoring the situation.
Col. Robin Sarmiento, provincial police director, said the national and local elections in Pampanga were expected to be peaceful because the province has “no communist-terrorist groups, private armed groups or criminal gangs, or intense political rivalries.”
Comelec officials briefed the candidates on Comelec Resolution No. 10732 on campaigning, Fair Election Act and calendar of activities.
“The Comelec should be thanked for initiating the signing of the integrity pledge. It is part of efforts to ensure peace and respect for right of voters to choose their candidates,” Board Member Rosve Henson, a mayoralty candidate in the City of San Fernando, said.
