ESPINO-CALIMLIM IN LANDSLIDE VICTORY

LINGAYEN—After gaining a third and final term in another landslide victory, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said he is open to reconciliation with his political opponents as he pledged to pursue his administration’s priority projects.

“We are very open to reconciliation to everybody,” said Espino in a press conference after his proclamation on May 15at his office at the Provincial Capitol Building here.

The governor also gave assurance that he and his allies remain in full support to President Benigno Aquino III’s programs and advocacies despite the latter’s explicit endorsement of the opponents of Espino team’s in the last elections.

Espino, with 583,473 votes based on the Commission on Elections official count, won over outgoing Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza with only 212,022 votes.

Of the 1,651,814 registered voters in Pangasinan, 871,060 actually cast their ballot.

Espino, in thanking those who voted for him, said his victory is a testament to an intelligent electorate who were not swayed by black propaganda.

“Ang inyong napakalaking suporta, ay isang malinaw na pagbubunyag sa buong bansa na ang nga taga-Pangasinan ay nag-iisip, may sariling paninindigan, at kalian man ay hindi pwedeng daanin sa mga kasinungalingan at paglilinlang, na tulad ng walang humpay na ginawa ng ating mga katunggali sa halalang ito,” he said.

WISH LIST

At the same time, Espino called for the immediate pullout of all the units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), particularly those in full battle gear assigned to the province this elections.

He also requested that Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPPO) Provincial Director Officer-in-Charge Marlou Chan be relieved following his alleged biased actions during the election period.

 “Ginawa niya lahat…upang pigilan ang mga kasamahan ko at ako… walang puso ‘to na taga-Pangasinan,” Espino said of Chan.

Further, the Governor urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureaou of Investigation (NBI) to review the murder charge filed against him and re-elected First District Representative Jesus Celeste.

“Kami ay nakikiusap sa kanila…na sana ay i-review at tignang mabuting ang kasong ito,” he said.

Espino and Celeste are charged for allegedly being the masterminds in the murder of Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez in December 2012.

Espino also pleaded the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allow him to go abroad to look for a medical specialist who can treat his mother who has been hospitalized since December 31.

“Hanggang sa mga sandaling ito mula pa noong December 31, nasa hospital pa rin ang aking mahal na ina, dahil sa labis na pagdaramdam sa mga paninirang puri sa akin,” he said.

CALIMLIM

Meanwhile, re-elected Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr., who garnered more than 600,000 votes as opposed to his rival Arturo Lomibao with just more than 200,000 votes, also thanked the electorate and expressed relief from what he called a “mentally exhausting” election.

“In behalf of team Espino-Calimlim, we would like to say thank you, maraming salamat po sa lahat ng ating kababayan sa panibagong pagtitiwala at suporta at mandato na ibinigay nila sa atin na despite everything na hinarap po natin, lahat ng negatibong bagay na lumitaw ay binigyan pa rin tayo ng vote of confidence,” said Calimlim.

Calimlim described the Espino-Calimlim triumph as the “realization ng lahat ng hopes and dreams namin for this elections.”

In the meantime, the vice governor said it’s back to work for them as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which he chairs, will resume its regular session on May 20 “to tackle unfinished business.”

The governor listed several priority projects that he intends to accomplish in the next three years, including the economic zone and international airport in the capital town of Lingayen, the international seaport in Sual, and the San Roque Dam irrigation system that will provide water for about two hectares of farmlands.–Johanne R. Macob

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