CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City politicians faced each other for the first time yesterday morning not to engage in mudslinging but to sign a peace covenant that obliges them to observe peaceful, orderly, and honest elections.
Of the five mayoralty candidates in the city, only two showed up for the peace covenant, namely, Efrain Pelaez of the Liberal Party and Paz Radaza of Deretso 3 party that is coalesced with the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
Paz Radaza is the wife of Mayor Arturo Radaza, who is representing the lone district. The signing was made inside the city’s sports complex in the presence of C-CIMPEL representative Estrela del Mar, Lapu-Lapu City police director Mariano Natuel, and Comelec officer Ferdinand Gujilde.
It was the first time for Pelaez and the Radazas to come face to face with each other since the filing of the certificate of candidacies.
Pelaez accuses Mayor Radaza of committing corruption while the Radazas allege that their opponent is a tax evader.
Mayor Radaza, his wife Paz, and her complete slate came with around 3,000 supporters.
Minutes later, Pelaez arrived, flashing the “laban” sign to Radazas’ supporters.
There were no awkward situations. Pelaez shook hands first with Mayor Radaza and then with Paz.
Both the Radaza’s and Pelaez, in a separate interview, said they did not mind seeing each other since they are all for peaceful and honest elections.
During the signing, Pelaez included in the covenant the phrase “no vote buying.”
“Namalit diay mi og boto? Siguro siya kay daghan man siya og kwarta kay kami pobre man mi,” Mayor Radaza said.
Mayoralty candidate Junard Chan and congressional candidate Joselito Ruiz did not take part in the Comelec-police covenant signing.
Chan had already signed a peace covenant initiated by the Parish of the Virgen sa Regla last Sunday morning, where Radaza failed to show up saying that they were informed only that day.
Chan and Ruiz, who are both from NP, called for a press conference in one of the restaurants in Mandaue City to discuss issues regarding death threats they have received.
Other mayoralty candidates – Virgilio Cano and Isabelito Darnayla – did not call up Comelec to say why they were not attending the covenant signing.
According to Gujilde, the signing was a step towards honest, orderly and meaningful elections.
Gujilde further said there is no reason to place the city under the immediate and direct control and supervision of the commission despite the alleged political violence and intense political rivalry among candidates in the city.
Gujilde’s recommendation was in response to Ruiz’s request asking the Comelec to place the city under its control.
Ruiz cited following killing incidents – the death of a certain William, who is a Tau Gamma Fraternity member, who had been murdered after he reportedly squealed to a certain Engr. Eduardo Godornes that he was paid P10,000 by a candidate for councilor; the death of their campaign coordinator, Allan Berame, who was gunned down by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men in barangay Kalawisan, Lapu-Lapu City last Dec. 31.
Ruiz cited the death of lawyer Richard Sison, who was also shot dead in Cebu City.
But Gujilde said he had referred the matter to the police but the police said the case was not politically motivated.
“The allegations raised by the good candidate hardly qualify as circumstances that warrant immediate control and supervision of this city by the Commission,” Gujilde said. (FREEMAN NEWS)