BARANGAY election fever is upon us. Eleven incidents, including two kagawad candidates killed in Cotabato City, have been recorded since the campaign period in Bangsamoro, the seat of election hotspots in the country. Earlier, there were some groups, even local government units (LGUs), demanding the postponement of the already postponed elections, but the Commission of Elections (Comelec) stood firm on continuing with the elections here in Marawi despite the need for more police deployment.

Peace covenants among candidates that we convened as election watchdogs in the past were organized anew by the Comelec and deputized agencies. This activity is vital because the previous State of the Nation Address (SONA) recognized the security sector for the decreased election incidents here. One of the covenant advocacies is to tap the losing candidates of previous elections. This would contribute to healing and social cohesion where neighbors, even relatives, compete for the barangay post.