Binay, Roxas, senatorial bets sign covenant for clean elections

MANILA, Philippines – Exactly a week before elections, some presidential and senatorial bets on Monday signed the covenant for “Truthful, Responsible, Upright, Transparent, and Honest” (T.R.U.T.H.) elections at the Manila Cathedral.

During the signing, only presidential candidates Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay attended while vice presidential bet Camarines Sur. Rep. Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo sent her representative Gail Robredo to sign on her behalf.

Fifteen senators were present to sign the covenant. These were Liberal Party bets - former Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, former PhilHealth Director Risa Hontiveros and Cresencio Paez;  United  Nationalist Alliance’s Princess Jacel Kiram, Martin Romualdez, Getulio Napeñas and Rey Langit; Partido Galing at Puso candidates Vice Mayor Isko Domagoso, Rep. Roman Romulo and Lorna Kapunan; independent candidates - former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan, Susan Ople, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, former Metro Manila Development Authority chief Francis Tolentino and Diosdado Valeroso.

The TRUTH covenant was signed by the candidates as a pledge to “aggregate truthful, responsible, upright, transparent, and honest elections in the 2016 synchronized national and local polls. The signing was witnessed by representatives of the Catholic church, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Commission on Elections Chair Juan Andres Bautista, Philippine National Police Chief Ricardo Marquez, the media and a number of supporters.

“We pledge to support campaigns that aim to motivate the Filipino people to take responsibility for the country by participating in the polls,” a portion of the covenant read.

“We also exert great effort and exhaust all means to encourage every Filipino to responsibly exercise their right to suffrage,” it added.

The signed covenant also served as the candidate’s commitment to assure peaceful remaining days of campaign and elections.

“We pledge to strongly acknowledge our relatives, friends, followers and supporters to decease producing violence deceit, fraud and other unfair and dishonest practices,” the covenant read.

“We will uphold the credibility and integrity of the remaining campaign period and election process and the dignity of the Filipino people,” it added.

Prior to the signing of the covenant, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle presided a Mass sending a message that the election is a blessing for the country and its people.

Photos by Philstar.com/Rosette Adel

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