MANILA, March 10 — Mayor Alfredo S. Lim pledged his commitment on Wednesday for clean, honest, peaceful and orderly elections in Manila this coming May 10. The mayor made the pledge by signing a covenant at the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters where he and other candidates for local posts were invited to guarantee that they would do their part to ensure peaceful elections in the city.
During the same occasion, Lim reiterated his call for Manila policemen to avoid engaging in partisan politics as this is not part and parcel of their primary duties.
The mayor also vowed not to use the police force to advance his political campaign, saying "I would rather lose the elections without using any of the MPD members than gain victory out of using them."
“Engaging in political activities will be a violation of the Omnibus Election Code and might put the policemen’s jobs on the line,” Lim said.
Himself a former policeman, Lim said that the members and officers of the MPD have the moral obligation to serve as role models in enforcing the law, instead of being the first to violate it.
“Much is expected from the Manila police when it comes to respecting the rule of law. Instead of committing any kind of electioneering activities, the police should instead stick to their duty of maintaining peace and order in view of the coming elections,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Lim stressed that the commitment, as signified in the covenant, should also cover those involved in the campaign of concerned candidates.
Lim was apparently referring to a recent incident where some personnel from the city hall’s department of public services were mauled by some 50 men led allegedly by Warren Codina, who used to be an official of city hall during the time of former Mayor Lito Atienza.
Lim expressed hope that the peace covenant will also do away with dirty tactics.
“Let us all respect the will of the people and their right to exercise their right of suffrage, free from lies and any form of harassment,” he said. (PNA) scs/JES