BAUTISTA–Three political bigwigs are expected to contest the gubernatorial seat in the May 14 elections, making it one of the hottest political battles to watch.

Those who signified intent to run as Pangasinan governor include Second district Rep. Amado Espino Jr, Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, and Dr. Jamie Eloise Agbayani wife of outgoing Governor Victor Agbayani.

Espino told local newsmen, after a dialogue with House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. Monday at the speaker’s residence in Dagupan City, that he is bent on fighting it out with the governor’s wife.

Espino, provincial and regional chairman of KAMPI party, said “If the Agbayanis, perceived as invincible, will knock me down, then its okay with me. But if I knock them down, that’s another history made by Espino.”

Espino, former Ilocos police regional director, surprised voters when he won the congressional race in the second district convincingly although he was then a neophyte politician. Espino made his intention unmistakably clear when fired his first salvo directed at the governor stressing that the province deserves a “true-blue Pangasinense”.  He has criticized Agbayani for his “two-day a week” schedule in the province.

The governor has been widely criticized for staying only two days per week, but Agbayani insists he stays in Metro Manila “following up projects for Pangasinan”.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Agbayani, a pediatrician, has been making the rounds in the province through the provincial government’s medical missions in different towns and cities. Observers say it was the governor’s way of enhancing his wife’s exposure in the barangays 

Gov. Agbayani, however, has maintained no final decision has been reached on Mrs. Agbayani’s bid as he is still consulting his political leaders whether or not his wife should run.

Lambino, for his part, had separate talks with Speaker De Venecia to impress upon the latter that he is determined to slug it out in the gubernatorial race.

The vice governor, provincial co-chairman of Lakas-NUCD party, has said he is ready for the gubernatorial battle.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Local Governance Antonio Villar Jr., dubbed as the “kingmaker” of Pangasinan, is again being prodded by political leaders to run for governor of the province.

This comes as another big surprise to would-be opponents who thought he has already hung his gloves in political battles.

Villar is called kingmaker because candidates he supports for various political positions, especially for sectoral positions in the provincial board, emerge as winners.

But National Irrigation Administration Administrator Arturo Lomibao, earlier reported to be also eyeing the gubernatorial post, has apparently dropped his plans after he was reportedly being g groomed to be the next Public Works Secretary.

Sixth district Rep. Conrado Estrella III, also a gubernatorial timber, has noticeably made himself scarce in public gatherings, fuelling speculations that he will not pursue his gubernatorial bid.

First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo, a close friend of Villar, reportedly told one gubernatorial bet in a recent meeting by the KAMPI party that the presidential couple would endorse another candidate “only if Bebot (Villar’s nickname) will not run”.

Villar founded and chairs his own political party, Biskeg na Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan), recently accredited by the Commission on Elections as Pangasinan’s first and only political party.

Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera, for instance, has been egging Villar to run for governor.

“Gusto namin si Manong Bebot dahil subok na namin siyang lider (We want Manong Bebot because he is a proven leader),” de Vera said.

Even Lambino openly said the only person who could make him reconsider his political plan is when Villar decides to run as governor.

“I am willing to sacrifice if he decides to run,” Lambino said.—EVA

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