LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – Gov. Victor Agbayani has finally broken his silence on the inclusion of his name in the administration’s senatorial slate in the May elections.
In a news release, Agbayani said he is honored to be included in the slate “as this may represent acknowledgment of all the work we have done in Pangasinan.”
“[But] this needs careful study. For one, I will need to consult our leaders in the province to determine how or in what capacity they would wish me to continue to serve,” Agbayani, who is on his last term, said.
Last Sunday, Speaker Jose De Venecia, told local media practitioners in Manaoag, Pangasinan that Agbayani was among those who have been recommended by administration coalition leaders in the senatorial line up, which included Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, also a Panagsinense.
De Venecia said Agbayani and Duque are “credible names, young people.”
Agbayani had earlier been reported that he would be running unopposed in the province’s second district, in exchange for his support to the gubernatorial bid of Rep. Amado Espino, who still has one term in the district.
But Agbayani said the reports are “baseless and untrue,” adding that he has not endorsed yet any congressman or any candidate for governor.
Agbayani also said that he has begun a process of consultation with grassroots leaders to get a consensus on what course of action he would take.