DAGUPAN CITY – Two congressmen, a vice governor, a former police general; and the doctor-wife of the governor may slug it out in a free-for-all gubernatorial race in Pangasinan this May.
Pangasinan’s second district Rep. Amado Espino Jr. had told newsmen here he has been aiming for the gubernatorial seat, which will be vacated by Gov. Victor Agbayani, who is now on his last term.
“It’s still an option and I’ve been preparing for it,” Espino, who is now on his second term, said.
Sixth district Rep. Conrado Estrella III, despite reports he had decided to seek reelection for his last term in his district, has not “completely dropped out of the race yet.”
“He is still considering running for governor,” an Estrella supporter, who requested anonymity, said.
Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, for his part, said any vice governor “would like to become governor someday.”
“So, since it’s already my last term, and the governor is also in his last term, my direction is towards the governorship,” Lambino, provincial chair of the administration Lakas Party, told the Inquirer.
Former police director general (now National Irrigation Administration chief) Arturo Lomibao said that his gubernatorial bid is still on.
“Tuloy ang laban (The fight is still on),” Lomibao said in a text message.
On the candidacy of Agbayani’s wife, Jamie Eloise, a doctor, the provincial information office in Lingayen said in a news release Wednesday that there is a “growing clamor for the governor to field his wife to ensure the continuity of the governor’s development programs.”
Local newspaper columnist and political analyst Gonzalo Duque said that to win the gubernatorial race, a candidate must be able to get the blessings of the administration.
“If you are with the administration, you will certainly win because this is a local fight where machinery is very important,” Duque told the Inquirer.
All of the possible candidates, however, have been aligned with the administration. Espino is a member of the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (KAMPI), a political party identified with resident Arroyo.
Estrella ran under the opposition Nationalist People’s Coalition, but he has been perceived to be supportive of Mrs. Arroyo.
Agbayani, likewise, is aligned with the administration as Lakas co-chair.
With this possible gubernatorial race scenario, Duque said Pangasinan may be declared a free zone.