CALASIAO– Oscar Orbos, who served as governor of Pangasinan from 1995 to 1998, is poised to reclaim his old position through an independent bid and without a line-up for other provincial positions.

Orbos is confident about staging a solo campaign, said Rafael Colet, the closest ally of Orbos and himself a former governor from 1987 to 1992, although they are not totally discounting the idea that “major occurrences” may happen within the week.

“He is putting his fate entirely onto the laps of the people. He believes that the people will respond if they believe that he’s going to be a better choice for Pangasinan,” said Colet in a news conference on Wednesday at the Regency Hotel here.

Orbos ran for vice president in 1998 in tandem with retired General Renato de Villa, but lost to former vice president and now President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Orbos and Colet are close friends and their bonding has become stronger since Orbos’ youngest brother married Colet’s eldest daughter.

Speaking for Orbos, Colet said the decision of Orbos to run alone and without any party or teammates is also good in the sense that “this is an experiment on how the Pangasinense will vote for their governor”.

He said Orbos received very encouraging responses from among people in his few rounds of the province lately.

Colet clarified that he handled the announcement as Orbos is still winding up some activities in Manila where he practices law and does some media work.

Colet said he is not privy to the people who will support Orbos but he believes that the Catholic Church in Pangasinan is sympathetic to the return of Orbos to the Princess Urduja’s House in Lingayen even as he admitted that Orbos will have a very difficult time in this election, unlike when he ran for governor in 1995 and his lone rival then was retired Court of Appeals Justice Porfirio Sison

Orbos will be competing against three other contenders, including Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, Rep. Amado Espino Jr. of the 2nd district, and Dr. Jamie Agbayani, wife of the incumbent governor.—LM

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