Versoza, Comelec execs witness peace covenant signing in Cotabato

COTABATO CITY, March 12 (PNA) - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police see peaceful and orderly elections with the signing of a peace covenant for honest, orderly and peaceful May 2010 elections in the city.

PNP Director General Jesus Versoza and Lawyer Ray Sumalipao, Comelec regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao graced the signing held at a hotel here Thursday.

"Everything is in place and with this covenant am seeing a peaceful and orderly balloting in this city and its environs," Versoza told local political aspirants shortly after the signing of the covenant.

"The troops and the peacekeepers are in place, we will be protecting the election paraphernalia as well as the voting public," Versoza said.

Sumalipao shared Versoza's dream of having the first ever honest and orderly elections.

"There is no room for failure of elections with this covenant," he said.

Leading the signatories in the covenant which calls for honest and orderly elections were mayoral candidates Bimbo Sinsuat and incumbent Vice Mayor Japal Guiani Jr.

Bai Zeny Dilangalen, wife of re-electionist Rep. Didagen Dilangalen, did not show up.

Also present were vice mayoral candidates Councilors Linda Ampatuan, Anwar Malang, and incumbent Mayor Muslimin Sema.

Bai Sandra Sema, wife of the incumbent mayor, who is seeking a congressional seat was also present.

About 35 candidates for the city council also signed the document.

Signing of a peace covenant helps ensure that the conduct of the balloting will be orderly and credible.
LAP/NYP/EOF