Villar resigns from Biskeg
STO. TOMAS—After being at the helm of the first and only provincial political party in Pangasinan for two decades, the chairman emeritus of Biskeg na Pangasinan has resigned from his post Friday.
Former Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Antonio “Bebot” Villar Jr, noted by his peers as Pangasinan’s political kingmaker because of his vital role in the successful election bid of many local, provincial and national candidates whom he had supported, announced his decision to resign through his nephew, Sto. Tomas Mayor Timoteo Villar III.
Mayor Villar told the media that his uncle reached this decision for personal reasons. He said his uncle wants to focus more attention to his family, especially for his three young grandchildren. (This is confirmed by Mr. Villar in his weekly column Deretsahan in this week’s issue).
He said his departure from Biskeg activities will finally allow him time to be with his family, particularly his grandchildren.
Additionally, he will finally have time doing what he enjoys best – farming and in raising fighting cocks, his favorite pastime, for many decades, the mayor added.
The elder Villar, who was mayor for 23 years of this town, founded Biskeg na Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan), a local political party accredited by Comelec in 2006, that counts among its members a great majority of incumbent elected officials in Pangasinan who are also aligned with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
The group was loosely formed sometime in late 1990s in the Third District with a small group of mayors who supported each other’s cause under the guidance of Mr. Villar, then also a mayor of Sto. Tomas.
On March 25, 2015, Mr. Villar turned over Biskeg’s chairmanship to former Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco and has since assumed the role of a chairman emeritus. Cojuangco is also the NPC provincial chairman.
Villar has thrown his support to the gubernatorial bid of Cojuangco in the May 9 elections.
His resignation from Biskeg na Pangasinan, however, came as a surprise to its members. (Tita Roces)
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