Reelectionist Cabanatuan City Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara and her rival, Vice Gov. Emmanuel Anthony Umali shake hands during the unity walk on Wednesday (March 12) that promotes peaceful midterm elections. (Contributed photo)
CABANATUAN CITY 鈥� A unity walk and covenant signing joined by all political camps were held here on Wednesday (March 12) to promote peace ahead of the upcoming elections.
鈥淭his unity walk was a great success, just like the one we held for the entire province,鈥� said Colonel Ferdinand Germino, director of the Nueva Ecija police.
Reelectionist Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas) and Vice Gov. Emmanuel Anthony Umali (Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija) led their teams in the symbolic walk.
It began from the historic Plaza Lucero to the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Cathedral.
They were joined by representatives from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the military, religious persons and other groups.
They also signed a covenant pledging to uphold a peaceful, fair and honest electoral process.
Germino said similar events would be held across all 27 towns and five cities in Nueva Ecija to reinforce the commitment to violence-free elections.
According to recent assessments by election officials, one municipality in Nueva Ecija is categorized under 鈥渙range鈥� (areas of immediate concern).
On the other hand, seven areas, including Cabanatuan City, are classified under 鈥測ellow鈥� (areas of concern).
The police reported that unity walks and covenant signings were also conducted on the same day in Talavera, San Leonardo and San Isidro.