CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, February 12, 2013–Reelectionist Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali and his political rival, outgoing
three-term first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson signed yesterday a covenant
for peaceful elections in the province, one of the 15 identified hot spots.
Umali
and Joson led provincial and city bets in the peace signing at the Benigno Aquino Freedom Park here which was
highlighted by a prayer rally and a unity walk to pledge their full commitment
to the holding of a Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) this coming polls.
Also attending the
covenant signing was Cabanatuan Mayor Julius Caesar Vergara and his rival,
Board Member Emmanuel Antonio Umali, younger brother of the governor as they
took part in a multi-faith peace forum jointly sponsored by the Church and
other religious leaders, the provincial police, the Commission on Elections,
the military, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the
Department of Education and Culture.
Also witnessing the
historic peace pact-signing were several local and barangay officials,
including, Gapan city mayor Christian U. Tinio, Llanera Mayor Lorna Mae Vero
and Munoz Science city vice mayor Ester Lazaro.
“This is our dream.
This is a good scenario,” said Rev. Sofronio A. Bancud, Bishop of the Diocese
of Cabanatuan and chairperson of the Nueva Ecija Parish Pastoral Council for
Responsible Voting.
Prior to the
affair, a unity walk was simultaneously launched by different groups in four
different take-off points within the city, to symbolize the province’s four
districts, and which subsequently converged in the main road leading to the
Freedom park, led by Gov. Umali along Mabini street and Vergara and Joson, along
Zulueta street.
Umali and Joson, both
released a white dove purportedly signifying peace. Umali said the event is good for the
province where political violence used to be its trademark.
Also gracing the
event were provincial police director, Senior Superintendent Crizaldo O.
Nieves, 7th Infantry Division commanding-general Brig. Gen.
Gregorio P. Catapang Jr.; city police chief, Supt. Eli G. Depr;, Dr. Abraham A.
Pascua, DILG provincial director; Atty. Lydia Florentino-Pangilinan, provincial
election supervisor; and Department of Education superintendent of schools Edna
S. Zerrudo. (Manny Galvez)
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