ALAMINOS MAYOR NO LONGER SEEKING RE-ELECTION

Frustrated over state of national affairs

ALAMINOS CITY–“Wala na (no more). I’m done.”

Thus said a visibly frustrated Mayor Hernani Braganza, who has been in politics for 25 years, over what he describes as the “terrible” state of political affairs in the country.

Braganza

The 42-year old Braganza — who served as Press secretary and Agrarian Reform secretary, councilor, two-time congressman of Pangasinan’s first district —is now on his second term as mayor of this city, home of the world-famous Hundred Islands.

While his re-election for a third and final term in the May election is widely believed to be just be a walk in the park for him since there are no other strong contenders for the position, he said the state of politics today does not provide good lessons to young politicians like him.

“Ang pulitika sa Pilipinas ay walang pagbabago, walang prinsipyo (Politics in the Philippines has not improved, it’s unprincipled),” he said, adding, “Your companion today will be your enemy tomorrow and your enemy yesterday is your companion today.”

He also lamented that he does not know where the present administration is headed to and seriously doubts that the ongoing political wranglings will amount to anything.

“It’s really frustrating seeing what’s happening in the national level among the political parties,” referring to how the political compromises and accommodations for the senatorial race are shaping up. “I’d rather just keep silent,” he added.

“What’s happening to the country? Will this be just a race for who is handsome or beautiful, who is the better dancer or singer? It’s terrible,” he said.

But before withdrawing from the political limelight, Braganza said he will still look after his colleagues who will vie for local positions.

Braganza and his municipal slate previously ran and won under the administration Lakas-CMD-UMDP party, but this time he advised his group not to affiliate with the ruling party.

When pressed by his colleagues who are requesting him to stay on and continue with what he had started, his oft-repeated reply was “There can never be a closure in governance because once you improve things, then there’s another challenge.

FAMILY MAN

He assured though that as a private citizen he will remain supportive of the city’s progress.

And he added that he just wants to spend more time with his family, especially with his young daughter whom he describes as nakakaloko (makes me crazy)”.

Braganza, a former member of the so-called Spice Boys in Congress that played a key role in the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada, started young in politics as a student leader and activist during his college days.—EVA

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