By Nimfa Estrellado Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan, together with other local officials and the provincial candidate, leads the Uni...
 |
| Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan, together with other local officials and the provincial candidate, leads the Unity Walk and Peace Covenant Signing for the upcoming National and Local Elections (NLE) 2025 and highlights the importance of unity and peace. (QUEZON PIO) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - "Unity rests on the shoulders of all, not just a few," stated Atty. Ana Mei Barbacena, Quezon Acting Provincial Comelec Supervisor, emphasizing the significance of community togetherness. "This Unity Walk serves as a platform to showcase the strength of our community and encourage everyone to be responsible citizens."
The Unity Walk and Peace Covenant Signing, held today, January 30, 2025, brought together provincial candidates from thirty-nine (39) municipalities, one (1) component city, Tayabas, and one (1) highly urbanized city, Lucena. The event, organized by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in partnership with various local organizations, was held in anticipation of the upcoming National and Local Elections (NLE) 2025.
This powerful display of unity aimed to foster a peaceful and fair election process in Quezon Province. The march symbolized a collective step towards transparent and respectful elections, with participants carrying banners and chanting slogans that promoted unity and ethical campaigning.The march from the Lucena City Police Station to Perez Park symbolized a collective step towards transparent and respectful elections.
Atty. Barbacena encouraged candidates to be law-abiding citizens and contribute to community unity through open communication with different groups within the city. She stressed the importance of working together to bridge divides and maintain a peaceful and respectful election process.
"We aim to promote cooperation and harmony and address any challenges that may arise. Our call to all community members is to observe and follow the guidelines set forth by authorities and, as much as possible, avoid any actions that may lead to conflict or disharmony." Atty. Barbacena also called on all residents to work together towards a more cohesive and harmonious community.
The Unity Walk and Peace Covenant Signing concluded with a program at the Pacific Mall, featuring speeches from police officials and community leaders. This event reflects a broader trend in the Philippines, where communities are increasingly utilizing such events to foster solidarity and address social challenges. These walks serve as a testament to the Bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people and their commitment to working together towards a better future.
Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan also joined the candidates and community members in the said activity, demonstrating a strong commitment to grassroots initiatives that foster harmony and cooperation. "We expect all the candidates to uphold the peace covenant and commit to fair and honest elections," she stated in an interview. "I hope all will follow suit in promoting unity and cooperation among the residents."
She also emphasized the importance of this long-standing tradition. "This unity walk, held every election, serves as a powerful symbol of solidarity among our community members," she remarked. "It fosters a sense of togetherness and shared values, contributing to a peaceful electoral process."
Meanwhile, PCol. Ruben Lacuesta, provincial director of the Quezon Police Provincial Office (QPPO), expressed his support for the unity walk and highlighted its role in promoting peaceful elections and fostering a sense of camaraderie among residents. "The QPPO is fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of all participants," stated PCol. Lacuesta. "We believe this event fosters a sense of unity and encourages responsible participation in the electoral process."
"The PNP, in partnership with other agencies like the AFP, will be vigilant in maintaining peace and order throughout the election period," PCol. Lacuesta added. "We vow to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the voices of the people are heard." This collaborative effort ensures a secure environment for the democratic process to unfold.
As part of the intensified Quezon Police security preparations for the said elections, there was a hands-on field inspection of the 3rd District Areas and Municipal Police Stations (Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Unisan, Pitogo, Macalelon, Gen Luna, Catanauan, Mulanay, San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, and Buenavista MPS) and checking of personnel who manned the COMELEC Checkpoint areas across the strategic border entry and exit points.
PCol. Lacuesta also conveyed his guidance, stating, “Diligence and professionalism must be carried out during your proactive deployment regarding election duties. Through this, we can assure our fellow citizens that they are safe and the violence will be subdued at any cost.” The firm commitment of Quezon PNP, altogether with the COMELEC and other counterpart agencies, will employ strengthened security and safety measures against any potential threats as well as to incidents related to violations of the law all throughout the whole province.
A pledge of integrity to promote cooperation and accountability among all participants was also conducted dubbed as "Panata para sa malinis, marangal at may dignidad na kampanya sa halalan 2025. COMELEC said the highlight of the activity was the signing of the peace covenant, which reinforced the commitment to peaceful and fair elections, and vote buying was strongly condemned. Doves were also released, symbolizing and serving as a reminder that a Secure, Accurate, Free, and Fair election is essential to true democracy.
The Election Period will run from January 12 to June 11, 2025, coinciding with the Gun Ban. Campaign periods vary: February 11 onwards for national candidates (Senators and Party Lists) and March 28 to May 10 for local positions. Overseas voting will take place from April 13 to May 12, while local absentee voters can cast their ballots from April 28 to 30. Liquor Ban and campaign silence will be enforced on May 11 and 12 (Election Day). The deadline for candidates to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) is June 11, 2025.
As of September 2024, Quezon Province has 1.4 million registered voters. This figure reflects the removal of double registrants, deceased individuals, and those who failed to vote in previous elections, ensuring a more accurate and updated voter list. COMELEC has also announced that there will be no extension for the filing of SOCE, emphasizing the importance of transparency in campaign finances.
%20(2).jpg)
No comments