LINGAYEN—Beleaguered Gov. Amado Espino Jr., who has been charged for plunder before the Office of Ombudsman for allegedly receiving P900-million in jueteng payola from jai-alai operators, is not short of allies.

Twenty-six of the 48 mayors in Pangasinan have signed a manifesto expressing support to the governor who has denied the allegation.

The governor stressed that he could not possibly have asked for jueteng bribe as it was the mayors, not he, who issued permits for jai-alai off-fronton betting stations, the supposed front for jueteng operations.

The mayors who signed the manifesto are: Noel Nacar of Dasol, also the group’s president, Alfonso Celeste, Carlitos Reyes, John Rodney Arcinue, Jose Pajeta, Alberto Guiang and Aldrin Cerdan of Bolinao, Mabini, Sual, Agno, Burgos, and Anda respectively in the 1st District; Lorenzo Cerezo, Eduardo Ballesteros and Ernesto Castaneda Jr. of Binmaley, Aguilar and Lingayen respectively in the 2nd District; Mark Roy Macanlalay, Julier Resuello, Carlito Zaplan of Calasiao, San Carlos City and Sta. Barbara respectively of the 3rd District; Irene Libunao, Herminio Romero of San Fabian and Mangaldan respectively of the 4th District; Silverio Alarcio, Manuel Collado, Mina Joy Pangasinan, Amado Espino III of Laoac, Alcala, Sison and Bautista respectively of the 5th District; and Phillip Peralta, Eldred Tumbocon, Leoncio Saldivar III, Teodoro Ramos of Balungao, Jericho Perez of Umingan, San Nicolas, Sta. Maria and San Manuel respectively of the 6th District.

Vice Mayor Virgilio Vallarta of Infanta, who is taking over as mayor following the murder of his party-mate Mayor Ruperto Martinez (see related story on page 1), was also present to support the governor.

Nacar said the mayors are saddened that “what’s happening now will destroy entire Pangasinan.”

“We support the governor because of his performance, his support to the program of the President,” Nacar said.

KAPITANS

Meanwhile, the Liga ng Barangay presidents, headed by the governor’s younger brother, Board Member Amadeo Espino, also signed a manifesto last week protesting what they called politically motivated attacks on the governor.

The village chiefs condemned the allegations in the plunder case and pledged to help the governor earn justice.

Meanwhile, former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri , who was in Calasiao last Sunday for the Puto Festival, also expressed support for Espino and questioned the timing of the expose.

“Parang ang sama naman ng timing… Why only now? If the allegations were true, they could have filed it last year,” he said referring to the coming May 2013 election where Espino is running for re-election for this third and final term.

“I personally believe this is political harassment. I pity the governor,” he added.

During the regular Monday flag-raising program of provincial government employees, Provincial Administrator Raffy Baraan appealed to them not to be distracted by the news against the governor.

“I know the motive of his detractors. This is just politics,” Baraan said.

Espino was charged with a plunder case before the Office of the Ombudsman last December 14 by his previous ally, Bugallon Mayor Rodrigo Orduña, a confessed jueteng operator-turned- whistle blower, who accused the governor of receiving some P900-million in jueteng money.—Eva Visperas with report from Johanne Margaret Macob

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