SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — To foster a culture of peace and responsible governance, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) La Union, in partnership with the La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO), spearheaded a unity walk and peace covenant signing with local candidates on Mar. 27 in this city.
The unity walk and peace covenant signing is an initiative aimed at promoting a commitment to peaceful, free, and fair elections as the province prepares for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).
This initiative, which brought together various law enforcement agencies and local candidates, reinforces the commitment to fair, transparent, and violence-free elections as the province prepares for the upcoming polls.
After the unity walk, 13 provincial candidates, 2 congressional candidates, and 27 city candidates joined the peace covenant signing.
By participating, they pledged to campaign ethically and avoid actions that could cause electoral violence.
The event not only encouraged candidates to uphold ethical campaigning but also emphasized voter education and empowerment.
COMELEC La Union highlighted the importance of allowing voters to make informed choices by ensuring that campaigns focus on platforms, policies, and public service rather than mere political rivalry.
“The campaign period is not just for candidates—it is an opportunity for voters to assess and understand their choices. We hope our leaders engage in issue-based discussions to help voters make informed decisions,” election supervisor, lawyer Alipio Alonzo Castillo III said.
LUPPO meanwhile underscored its role in maintaining electoral integrity, urging candidates to lead by example in promoting peace.
“By uniting beyond political colors, we show the public that elections should be a celebration of democracy, not division. Let’s work together for a safe and harmonious election,” Police Major Lawrence Ganuelas, LUPPO information officer stated.
LUPPO assured the public of enhanced security measures for the upcoming elections, including additional police, military coordination, and increased monitoring of election areas of concern to ensure a safe and orderly process in La Union.
The joint efforts of COMELEC La Union and LUPPO aim to cultivate a more engaged and responsible electorate, setting a positive example for the entire country as they prepare for the 2025 National and Local Elections. (CCMT/KJCR/LG, PIA La Union)
