Davao del Norte gubernatorial candidates, Governor Edwin Jubahib and 2nd District Rep. Alan “Aldu” Dujali, along with vice-gubernatorial candidate 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez were a no-show at the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) unity walk for peaceful election and briefing on Wednesday.
Only 1st District congressional candidates led by Vice Governor De Carlo “Oyo” Uy, PDP bet Cesar Cuntapay, and Board Member Nicandro “Nickel” Suaybaguio, as well as vice gubernatorial candidate Board Member Robert “Tete” So, attended the briefing intended for provincial candidates.
Provincial Election Supervisor IV lawyer Norliza M. Mamukid in an interview said although Alvarez and Jubahib did not attend, they sent representatives on their behalf.
She added the event is important to remind the candidates to practice patience, avoid violence, and uphold the rule of law.
“This briefing is to remind our candidates of the dos and don’ts of campaigning especially with the local campaign is about to officially start on the 28th,” Mamukid told Manila Standard.
During the briefing, she discussed Comelec’s rules and regulations on candidates’ expenditures, particularly to declare expenditures and contributions.
Bureau of Internal (BIR) Revenue Officer I Leah Jova also discussed the role of taxes in the candidates’ expenditures and contributions, reminding the candidates to declare contributions for proper taxation.
After the briefing, a peace covenant signing was also conducted. Uy avoided media interviews and hurriedly left after the signing and group photo ops.
Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office Director Police Colonel Alexander Serrano and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Jonathan Leybag in their respective speeches asked the candidates to exercise professionalism during the campaign
They asked that candidates avoid personal attacks and instead focus on issues and positive campaigns.
Leybag likewise announced that the province is still in “green color,” meaning it has no hotspot areas yet: “And I hope we will remain in that green color, no violence, no red flags during election.”
The event concluded with integrity pledges and messages of commitment to peaceful election by representatives from different party lists.
Comelec also conducted similar events in Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental, saying it was a simultaneous briefing and orientation.