JUNKING PERIOD BEGINS

MALASIQUI—Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, co-chairman of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats in Pangasinan and its most loyal leader in the province, has threatened to jump ship if he is given a “raw deal” in the selection process for the administration party’s gubernatorial bet in the May election.

In his most fighting form yet, Lambino declared in an interview at his residence here, “If I’m given a raw deal in my party, if I’m not given my day in court, then I will bring my case to the people and let them decide. If they say that I should run (for governor), then I will.”

Lambino said that after nine years as vice governor of Pangasinan, it is most logical that he should seek a higher position.

Lambino, who was mayor of his hometown for 11 years and nine years as vice governor, said in case he leaves Lakas, he does not have any problem finding his place in the sun because he is the secretary-general of the ‘Biskeg’, now a registered political party founded by Undersecretary for Local Governance Antonio Villar Jr.

He also hinted at the possible alternative of joining the opposition.

“Joining the opposition may be an option to take if the party (Lakas) can not make the right decision,” said Lambino who sounded very sarcastic over reports that the party standard bearer in Pangasinan in the coming election would be another aspirant who is not even a party member.

He said if this is true, that would be most unfair to him because he had been with the party and espousing its principles ever since it was formed.

He told newsmen he received reports from sources that Speaker de Venecia is inclined to support the wife of Governor Victor Agbayani, Dr. Jamie Eloise Manzano-Agbayani who, Lambino said, is not even a member of Lakas.

The same is true for the other would-be aspirant, Rep. Amado Espino Jr. of the Kapisanan ng mga Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), one of the parties that coalesced with the administration, who is also non-Lakas, he said.

“WINNABILITY”

When asked why he thinks he is more deserving to be the party standard bearer than the others, Lambino replied: “The party has a set of rules. The selection of candidates is based on rules. And the number one criteria is “winnability”, loyalty and wherewithal.”

He claimed that as far as “winnability” is concerned, he had been topping all surveys among all possible aspirants, including surveys conducted by the other camps.

As to loyalty, he asked, “Tell me who’s been loyal to Lakas from the very beginning? “Sino sa Lakas ang dumedepensa sa mga issues against the party and even against President Arroyo?

Lakas party president is House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., while former President Fidel Valdez Ramos is the president emeritus.

Lambino also noted that although he does not have as much financial resources as the other possible candidates to sustain an extensive provincial campaign, he believes that his track record will speak for itself.

“If some of the aspirants claim they have P200 million to spend, I think I don’t need that much since I need not advertise myself anymore because of my long years of serving the people,” he said.

Lambino said he is confident that Biskeg’s Villar, the province’s long-time ‘king-maker’, will support him in his upcoming gubernatorial fight being his relative.

On plans to appoint him to a position in the government, Lambino posed: “Why do they want me to be appointed when I’m topping the surveys?”

ESPINO

Meanwhile, it is now official that Espino had already been drafted as NPC-KAMPI official standard bearer for governor in the May 14 election.

A statement received by THE PUNCH said the NPC-KAMPI unity ticket came after a series of consultation-meetings with various leaders headed by businessman-philanthropist Engr. Rosendo So, owner of “Nice Place” in Urdaneta.

Notably conspicuous in the month-long consultation-meetings were Reps. Conrado Estrella III of the sixth district, Mark Cojuangco of the 5th district; Generoso Tulagan of the 3rd district; and Arthur Celeste of the lst district; and various KAMPI and local officials.

“Congressman Espino has been finally drafted last January 2 as our party’s standard bearer for Governor this coming May polls,” said Engr. So, described as the architect of the “perfect tandem” of NPC-KAMPI.

AGBAYANI

In the case of Dra. Jamie Eloise Agbayani, Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis said it is now almost certain that she will throw her hat into the gubernatorial ring in the coming election.

He said Mrs. Agbayani is now almost 100% done in her consultation with their relatives and leaders on her desire to run for governor to ensure the continuity of the programs and projects of her husband, Governor Victor Agbayani.

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