Oñate, Tupa ink peace covenant with PPCRV

PALOMPON, Leyte-Opposing candidates in this town chance to see each other during the signing of peace covenants at the Saint Francis Xavier parish church last April 15, at 8:00 in the morning. The activity was spearheaded by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPC-RV) led by parish priest, Fr. Albert Opiniano, with his assistants, Fr. Ric Marpa, and Fr. Manuel Baybay.

Unlike in the neighboring Isabel town, all Palomponganon candidates showed up to wish their opponents good luck, and to proved that they adhere for peaceful and orderly elections this May 2007. Present were the local candidates under Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), led by incumbent mayor, Atty. Marcelo “Baloy” Oñate, and his running mate, vice mayor Harvey Fel C. Piñon, and their slate. The Lakas –CMD candidates also come in full force with mayoralty candidate Eulogio “Yoly” Tupa and his running mate, Atty. Lloyd Surigao.

The activity was highlighted by the signing of the peace covenant prepared by the PPC-RV in their campaign towards an honest, orderly and peaceful election. Afterwards, all the candidates were presented by Fr. Opiniano before the crowded church during the Sunday’s second mass, to the delight of many Palomponganons who rarely see these candidates together.

Also present are candidates for councilor, Rodulfo Canson, Gilbert Manongsong, Eloy Bongbong, Josie Pahulayan, Arnol Pajaron, Avelino Pastor, Pablo Castor, Jesus Villardo III of Lakas CMD, reelectionists Jesus Sanchez, Manuel Bertulfo, and Laurito Nuñez, candidates Mesias Arevalo, Jun Roble, Burt Bregaudit, Arsenio Marquez, and Cleofe Paloma-Rivera of NPC.