Cebu vote 2019 Magpale, Davide absent at peace covenant signing

CEBU, Philippines — "Partial peace."

This was the remark of gubernatorial candidate Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia after opponents Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Governor Hilario Davide did not show up at the signing of a peace covenant for elections at the Saint Francis de Assisi Church in Naga City yesterday.

Garcia and other town officials attended the ceremonial signing, an initiative of the Philippine National Police to ensure a successful and peaceful elections.

"I expected them to come kay peace covenant man kaha unta ni. Partial peace ra kay kami, we committed to that pledge, but they are not around. They confirmed man daw, but I guess, naa last minute changes. But kami, ni-commit man mi. Then we show up (I expected them to come because this is a peace covenant. They reportedly confirmed but, maybe, there were last minute changes. We committed to come so we showed up," Garcia said.

Magpale is running against Garcia for governor while Davide has decided to slide down and run for vice governor.

Supt. Virgilio Bayo-on, chief of the Provincial Police Office Community Relations Office, said they sent invitations to everyone, and received confirmation last week. 

Magpale and Davide both confirmed last week and even provided a number of a contact person from their end. 

“Puro sila tanan natagaan sa invitation letter. Gahapon, gipa-confirm nato but ang uban wala. Di sad nato mapugos sila. Dili tinuod wala gi-invite. Na-invite nato, apil received copy and contact number. Ang secretary ang nag-confirm nga di ka-attend kay aduna'y mas importante nga kalihukan. Di ta kaingun nga di sinsero… naa man mas importante (We invited them all and we confirmed with them. We can’t force them, though. The secretary confirmed they could not attend because of more pressing matters. We can’t say that they’re not sincere; only that there are pressing matters)," Bayon-on said.

Also present during the signing were representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Commission on Elections, and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Board Member Grecilda Sanchez, an ally of Magpale and Davide, said the two were in Alegria.

"Medyo busy sad ang uban… silang Vice Gov Magpale ug Gov Junjun toa man sa Alegria karon naa man gud sila'y distribution, which is part and functions nila karon (The others are busy. Vice Governor Magpale and Governor Davide are in Alegria for a distribution, which is part of their current functions)," Sanchez said yesterday.

Police Regional Office Director Debold Sinas said the candidates who were not able to sign the covenant can always help maintain peace and order during the election period through their own initiatives. JMO (FREEMAN)