Espino explains absence in peace covenant signing

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Re-electionist Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said he decided to skip the peace covenant signing the other day at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist here because it “would only serve to legitimize the violations and abuses of some (police) officials and deceitful candidates, and provide them with the perfect cover-up for their devious schemes.”

In a letter dated March 23 to lawyer Marino Salas, provincial election supervisor, and Fr. Allan Morris Abuan, chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council of Pangasinan, Espino said though he supports the  council’s advocacy for clean, honest, accountable, meaningful and peaceful (CHAMP) elections as well as the Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) campaign of the Philippine National Police.

He said these are the same guideposts that he has lived by in working for clean and peaceful elections ever since he has served as Pangasinan and Region 1 police director, congressman, and now as governor.

“It is ironic that some candidates and officials who are supposed to promote CHAMP and SAFE elections, are the very same people who are violating the core values and principles upon which these advocacies stand,” Espino said.

Salas and Abuan, according to Espino, are aware of the various acts of character assassination, allegedly well-orchestrated political demolition jobs, supposedly false and fabricated accusations and harassment cases filed against him by his political opponent.

Espino is facing a plunder case before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly receiving P900 million in jueteng payoffs filed by Bugallon Mayor Rodrigo Orduña, and a murder case before the Department of Justice for allegedly plotting the killing of Infanta town Mayor Ruperto Martinez.

“Moreover, our participation in that peace covenant signing would only give the wrong signal that we are condoning their dirty tricks,” he added.

Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, Espino’s lone rival in the gubernatorial race, was also absent in the peace pact signing.