DAVAO CITY—Local candidates for the May 12 national and local elections attended the Peace Covenant and Candidates Orientation organized by the Commission on Elections in the Davao Region held March 26 at the Davao City Recreation Center (Almendras Gym).
Among those present were mayoralty candidates Rodolfo Cubos and former Civil Service Commission Chairman Karlo Nograles.
Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is also running for mayor, is currently detained in The Hague, in The Netherlands awaiting trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.
Duterte’s sons were also absent. Reelectionist First District Rep. Paulo Duterte was visiting his detained father while current Mayor Sebastian Duterte, who is running for vice- mayor, was not at the event.
Several candidates belonging to the Duterte slate led by Vice Mayor Melchor Jay Quitain Jr. who is running for city councilor participated in the covenant signing. Also in full force were the candidates under mayoralty candidate Rodolfo Cubos.
“This serves as a reminder that serving the people is about working together for peace and the greater good,” Nograles said.
Aside from local candidates, Comelec officials led by Assistant Regional Director Gay Enumerables attended the event. They were joined by Davao City Police Office director P/Col. Hansel Marantan.
Right after the event the candidates held a solidarity walk towards Camp Domingo Leonor, the headquarters of the Davao City Police Office.
In the candidates briefing Enumerables briefed candidates on Comelec Resolution 10946 which sets stricter measures against vote-buying.
“Comelec Resolution started during the last barangay elections in 2023 and in this NLE (National and Local Elections) expanded siya to include abuse of state resources,” Enumerables said.
She said the resolution is fairly new and they hope the candidates will follow its provisions.
Enumerables said penalties for vote buying can lead to disqualification and imprisonment as vote buying is an election offense which is criminal in nature.
“Jail time talaga ito, this is not subject to any plea-bargaining agreement,” she said.
Resolution 10946 sets a ban on the giving of ayuda except medical and burial assistance, 10 days before election day and on election day.
The resolution also creates a Kontra Bigay Committee (KBC) that will crack down on vote-buying, vote-selling and abuse.
“Doon kayo pwede mag-file nang complaint, magsumbong pag may nakita kayo,” Enumerables said.
(There you can flle the complaint, report if you see something)
The regional KBC has already been constituted with a city-level KBC to be established soon according to the Comelec official. (RG/Alama)
