Candidates running for local positions in the Municipality of Pateros in Metro Manila gathered on March 17 for the peace covenant signing for the May 9 national and local elections.
The signing was held at the San Roque Parish Church in Pateros and led by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).


Invited to sign the peace covenant were reelectionist Mayor Miguel Ponce III and mayoral bet Marilyn Chiong, House of Representatives candidates Allan Cerafica and Ricardo Cruz Jr., and candidates for councilor.
Witnessing the signing were Election Officer Ronnie Villar of Comelec-Pateros, Col. Aldrine Gran of Pateros Police Station, PPCRV Deputy Lay Coordinator Lyndon Glenn Imson, and parish priest Father Loreto Sanchez Jr.
Each election candidate signed the Integrity Pledge and vowed, “I sign this Integrity Pledge for free. orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections, and through my words and actions, commit to abide by the tenets of our Constitution, election laws, rules and regulations, respecting the sanctity of our electoral exercise.”
“I will not employ any form of violence, force or threat that may impair, impede, or unduly influence the free exercise of the people's right of suffrage. I will ensure the prompt and accurate reporting and disclosure of campaign-related expenses. I will not offer or give bribes or gifts to corrupt the integrity of our democratic process,” the candidates pledged.
They added, “As a candidate seeking the people's mandate in order to serve them, I shall respect the norms of conduct expected of public servants and commit to run a clean campaign, observing fairness, common decency, honesty and good faith. Through our words and actions. | and all who stand with me. shall fight against discrimination in all forms; we shall promote gender sensitivity in the campaign; and we shall not tolerate any form of violence against WOMEN IN POLITICS.”
“All these, I commit and subscribe to, freely and voluntarily, fully accountable witnesses. to Almighty God and to the Filipino people as my witnesses,” the candidates promised.