THERE is an outbreak of a different type of fever in the province – the 2007 local election fever.

Surveys are now being conducted by various political groups to determine who would likely be the favorites for the local posts, particularly the governorship.

The results of two surveys (the first was known as Track1 and the second, Track2) were passed on to media and it was not clear who or which group or individual commissioned the survey that purportedly showed the results culled  from responses  from 3,100 respondents from three cities and 29 of the 44 municipalities.

The surveys conducted in six congressional districts of Pangasinan showed incumbent Vice Governor Oscar Lambino leading in Track1 with 35 per cent and still leading with 28 per cent in Track2.

Sixth District Rep. Conrado Estrella trails Lambino at 30 per cent in Track1 and 26 per cent in Track2 while Dr. Jamie Agbayani, wife of the incumbent Pangasinan governor, had four per cent in Track1 and 18 per cent in Track2.

In Track2, the other named probable candidates are former PNP Chief Arturo Lomibao, now administrator of the National Irrigation Administration with 11 per cent; former Gov. Oscar Orbos, 10 per cent; and Rep. Amado Espino, 5 per cent. However, they were not considered as possible candidates in Track1.

Undecided votes in Track1 polled one per cent; and two per cent in Track2.

The lists in both surveys did not include Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who may yet run for governor to duplicate his late father’s feat, who in the 60s was catapulted to the governorship of Pangasinan after serving as Secretary of Health of then President Diosdado Macapagal.  

 If the elections were held today, Track1 said Lambino would lead Estrella by six per cent, and Lambino would likely win over Estrella by 57,600 votes.

With Dr. Agbayani third in both Track1 and Track2, political observers validated the growing sentiment that the political strength of Gov. Victor Agbayani is not easily transferable to his wife.

 Gov. Agbayani is now completing his third and last term in office and may consider on running for congressman of the second district of Pangasinan.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments