
GAMU, Isabela — Out of the total of 50 provincial and congressional candidates in Isabela, only eight showed up for the Holy Mass and covenant signing for peaceful election at the Saint Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Upi village here on Tuesday.
Robert Siquian, who is seeking the third congressional seat against three-term Mayor Ian Paul Dy and two unheralded bets, Mailyn Siquian and Darwin Abuan, were present.
Liga ng mga Barangay national president Faustino “Inno” Dy V, who is seeking the representative’s post for the sixth district against Abraham Lim, was also in attendance.
For board members, only six candidates showed up.
The candidates and voters in attendance signed the peace covenant, witnessed by election and local government officials.
Despite the lean presence of election bets, Col. Mariano Rodriguez, Isabela police director, still lauded the “show of full support” for the holding of safe and peaceful elections on May 13.
Lawyer Michael Camangeg, Isabela provincial election supervisor, urged the candidates to uphold integrity and pledge to support the conduct of honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections.
He also enjoined them to conduct their campaign activities in a peaceful manner in accordance with laws.
Prior to the Holy Mass at the cathedral, about 200 police, military and election officials and voters held a unity walk starting from two convergence points — the Isabela police headquarters and a downtown mall – and later joined the peace covenant signing.