Tagbilaran City candidates for mayor, vice-mayor and councilors signed a covenant, dubbed, “Unity of Pledge of Commitment for Secure And Fair Elections (SAFE) 2016,” after a Holy Mass officiated at Saint Joseph cathedral last Thursday.

City mayor John Geesnell Yap II was represented by City Administrator Leonides Borja after he has to fly to Manila to attend the grand gathering of the Liberal Party at Club Pilipino.

Those who affixed their signatures were: mayoralty bet Poblacion I chairman Arlene Karaan, reelectionists Adam Jala, Philip Besas, Jojo Bompat and Lucille Lagunay; and other candidates for councilors – Dulce Govasa, Greggy Gatal, Jonas Cacho, Vicente Polinar, former city SK federated president Shaene Karaan, Manga chairperson Leda Saco, Pat Ruiz, Booy chairman Elitorgio “Jun” Telmo, Eliezer Borja and Betty Torralba.

Jeremias Pabe and Dionesio Torralba III, Jewel Siason, who also vie for a Sangguniang Panlungsod seat, were not around when the signing took place.

City police chief Col. George Vale, media representative Willie Maestrrado, city prosecutor Atty. Romeo Chatto, city election officer Atty. Roco Lamanilao, Fr. Warli Salise, Col. Arnulfo Matanguihan and city schools superintendent Dr. Virginia Zapanta also signed the pact as witnesses.

The candidates vowed “to do our part in continuing to move the Philippines forward in a positive manner.”

They also committed “to uphold the integrity of election process by refusing to be parties to vote-buying, election violence and any manner of corruption.”

“To elevate the level of maturity of Filipino electorate by holding candidates to a law-abiding campaign based on issues and not on personal attacks and to respect the genuine and laudable efforts for the winners for the benefit of the nation and good of all Filipinos,” they said.