The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged the local candidates to respect and observe the peace covenant they signed to ensure peaceful, clean and honest elections on May 14.
City Election Registrar Mavil Majarucon-Sia said yesterday hundreds of candidates from 61 barangays in Bacolod participated the signing of the peace covenant with the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the Bacolod Arts Center of Bacolod City National High School.
"We initiated this with the PNP to remind the candidates that this election we are hoping peaceful, orderly and honest elections," she said.
She added the candidates should be sincere on what they have entered into for a peaceful Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
The candidates pledged to do their respective duties and responsibilities for free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections.
They also committed to abide by the tenets of the Constitution, election laws, rules, and regulations, respecting the sanctity of the electoral exercise.
They pledged not to employ any forms of violence, force or threat that may impair, impede or unduly influence the free exercise of the people's right of suffrage.
They also assured the public they will ensure the prompt and accurate, reporting and disclosure of campaign-related expenses and not to offer or give bribes or gifts to corrupt the integrity of the democratic process.
Majarucon-Sia said the candidates were also reminded to regulate their watchers and to control the crowd in polling precincts during the elections.
She said the final lists of candidates will be released today at the Comelec office.
Meanwhile, Majarucon-Sia said that based on her meeting with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), there are no identified areas of concerns in the city.
She said the BCPO will assign six personnel in every school to maintain the peace and order.
She added more policemen will also be deployed to the identified control centers in various barangays.
