The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Baguio, alongside leaders from various sectors, spearheaded the signing of a Solidarity Pact at Melvin Jones Grandstand recently. This joint commitment aims to uphold peace, fairness, and honesty in the conduct of the May 12, 2025 National and Local and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections.
COMELEC-Baguio Election Officer Atty. John Paul Martin headed the event, highlighting the importance of integrity in elections regardless of the country’s socio-political climate. He encouraged Baguio citizens to vote wisely, stating, “Para sa mga taga-Baguio, bumoto nang tama, hindi ‘yung may tama. Do not be silent. Set high standards when choosing your leaders.” He urged voters to support candidates with strong moral values and a genuine commitment to public service.
Also present at the event were members of the Baguio City Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), other faith-based groups, and several governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The Solidarity Pact is a joint commitment meant to guarantee the election process is peaceful and democratic. The pledge reads:
“As representatives of various government agencies and sectors, we commit to working together to ensure peace and safeguard democracy.” The signatories also pledged to ensure that every Filipino is able to cast their vote without any fear as well as stand against any false information and disunity that would jeopardize the election process.
Police Chief Baguio City PCol Ruel Tagel brought forth this commitment’s importance by saying, “It is a promise to our fellow Filipinos: free, fair, and peaceful elections. This promise represents our collective aspirations for a brighter future, where every Filipino’s voice is heard without fear or violence.”
As the event concluded, Atty. Martin called on all Filipinos to unite in protecting their right to vote and ensuring that the 2025 elections are conducted democratically. He emphasized that unity, integrity, and responsible citizenship are the core elements of a just and accountable electoral system. This gathering served as both a challenge and a reminder of the shared responsibility to uphold democracy. By Annjay Domilies
