MABINI—Retired  Lt. General Alberto “Boysie” Braganza, who hails from barangay Magalong this town, is now preparing for the race to represent the first district of  Pangasinan in Congress, where he will be facing off with incumbent Rep. Arthur Celeste from Bolinao town who is now on his second term.

Braganza, a three-star general, officially took his oath as member of the ruling administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democratic (CMD) party before Gov. Victor Agbayani and Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, the party’s provincial co-chairmen on January 26.

“This is a calling and I consider it as a challenge,” he told The PUNCH in a phone interview Sunday.

Speaking fluently in the Pangasinan dialect, he said it’s about time for him to serve his hometown and his district.

He retired in September 2005 as commander of the Southern Command covering the entire Mindanao, his last assignment.

He admitted he has been doing the rounds in the towns in the first district, which includes this town, Infanta, Dasol, Agno, Bolinao, Bani, Anda, Alaminos City and Burgos.

The former aide-de-camp of President Gloria Arroyo said politics is not new to him as Don Cirilo Braganza, a relative, was the first congressman in their district while his father, Dominador Braganza, also a retired colonel, was an undefeated mayor for 10 years in their hometown; his uncle, Hernani Braganza, also became congressman of first district and is now mayor of Alaminos City. Also, another uncle on the maternal side, Modesto Ferrer, was a former board member and one time officer-in-charge governor.

“Di na kaila sa inyo na nasa dugo ng pamilya Braganza ang pulitika,” he said.

He said his decision to try his luck in politics was also a family decision and he has been inspired by the support he is getting from various leaders egging him on to run.

Braganza also clarified reports that he is fielding other retired police and army officers from his district to run as mayor in order to help him in his congressional bid.

“No, I’m not personally fielding military or police officers. It’s simply a coincidence that some of the (possible) candidates were former servicemen of the Armed Forces (of the Philippines) and police,” he said.

Pol Tucay, a police superintendent from Bolinao and retired Coast Guard Admiral Elpidio Padama of Burgos are among the reported possible mayoralty candidates in their respective hometowns.

He considers working in the military and being an elective official as both public service.—EVA

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments