Wannabes feel the pulse in Pangasinan
WITH the much-anticipated national elections next year, the vote-rich province of Pangasinan has become a favourite destination for politicians who expressed — outspokenly or sparingly — their desire to run for the highest office of the land.
Whether the visit came with an official function or just testing the waters, Pangasinenses know they are being courted.
Vice President Jejomar Binay have visited several cities and municipalities since the start of the 2015. His city sisterhood ties and dealings with senior citizens made him a frequent visitor to Pangasinan. Whenever, he’s in the province, he is well accommodated in Binmaley town.
Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government came on April 10 in full regalia with the offices under DILG in perfect attendance. Roxas handed projects under the Bottom-Up- Budgeting scheme to fisherfolks of Dagupan City and led three public consultation with various sectors. (Two weeks later, his wife, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, came to the city too, according to her, to thank Dagupenos for the success of her Rated K show which is now on it’s 10th year. Sanchez dismissed reports that she is running for a senate seat because “galit si Mar sa nepotismo.”
Another frequent Pangasinan visitor is Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano who have distributed cash grants to various groups including jeepney drivers, fisherfolks and market vendors as seed capital for their micro-lending programs. His latest appearance was during the National Fishery Congress in Lingayen town on May 19.
Benchmarking a federalism government, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has come to Pangasinan twice (April and May) for a forum with media.
Former Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson drove to Lingayen town for a public consultation with barangay officials and residents of the town on May 22. In a press conference, he revealed to Pangasinan media that he has the intention to run as president but clarified that there is now a difference between his desire to run in 2010 and his desire to run next year.
Controversial ‘foundling’ Sen. Grace Poe had a chance to do a radio station hopping before a jam-packed press conference in Dagupan City on June 2.
Other politicians who expressed their desire to visit Pangasinan this June were Sen. Antonio Trillanes and Sen. TJ Guingona.
Cabinet secretaries whose names float when a senate seat is being talked about, also visited Pangasinan thru government programs in the person of Sec. Joel Villanueva of TESDA and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla.
With a voting population of 1.6 million out of its 2.4 million general populace, more and more popular public figures continue to feel the pulse of Pangasinenses to decide whether its ‘laban or bawi’ for 2016. (PIA-Pangasinan)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
