The peace covenant for candidates vying for provincial and congressional positions in Cavite was officially set for March 12 at the historic Our Lady of Pillar Parish-Imus Cathedral, officials said Friday.

The covenant, which will gather some 80 candidates, was organized by Cavite-based media members, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPRCV) and Police Provincial Office under Senior Supt. Primitivo Tabujara Jr.

The peace gathering was made to show the solidarity of the Caviteños in keeping the May 10, 2010 elections clean, peaceful and orderly.

The scheduled covenant was initially announced by Father Ronel Ilano after a Mass he officiated last Sunday at the 200-year-old Imus Cathedral.

“The provincial candidates will be here on March 12 for the signing of peace covenant; let us support the event,” said the priest.

The covenant program will be simple and brief. The organizers set the covenant at the Cathedral to make the covenant formal and solemn. All gubernatorial, vice gubernatorial, provincial board and congressional candidates are invited to the gathering.

“Those who will appear are indeed for honest, peaceful and orderly elections,” said the media members.

The organizers will ask the candidates to sign a two-page commitment manifesto against corruption, cheating and violence, among others.

The covenant signing was discussed by some members of the media, the PPCRV and the police in two meetings at the Cavite PPO in Camp General Pantaleon Garcia in Imus.

There are six candidates in the gubernatorial race, including incumbent Vice Governor Dencito P. Campaña of the Liberal Party, former vice governor Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. of the Nacionalista Party and Trece Martires City Mayor Melencio L. de Sagun Jr. of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

There are seven contenders for the vice gubernatorial position, 21 for the congressional race and 47 for provincial board seats, local Commission on Elections records showed. It will be the first time that a peace covenant will be held under the newly-redistricted Cavite.