EXPECT another gubernatorial wannabe in Pangasinan.

Retired Police Director General Arturo Lomibao, a native of Mangaldan town, announced his desire to join the race which is already set to be contested by at least three aspirants.

Lomibao, now administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), told reporters during the 16th Philippine National Police Anniversary at Camp Crame that he will run for governor, citing a provincial survey placing him among the top two possible winners.

The other wannabes are Vice Governor Oscar Lambino who is seeking nomination as official bet of the ruling party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Rep. Amado Espino Jr., of the second district, likely official candidate of Kapisanan ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi); and Dr. Jamie Eloise Manzano Agbayani, wife of incumbent Governor Victor Agbayani.

       But the gubernatorial fight could be five-cornered as Undersecretary for Local Governance Antonio Villar Jr. will reportedly announce his bid during his birthday bash on March 23 this year in his hometown of Sto. Tomas, only six days before the deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy for local candidates.

         Lomibao and Espino are classmates in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and were decorated together when they captured erstwhile New People’s Army ‘supremo’ Bernabe Buscayno, alias “Kumander Dante” in Mexico, Pampanga as young lieutenants of the defunct Philippine Constabulary.

         Observers believe the two “mistahs” will eventually not square off with each other in the political battlefield, expecting either one to eventually give way for the sake of the other.

         A neophyte in politics, Lomibao, who retired last year, admitted he has no party yet for the coming election, but hopes to join the administration party. He said he is absolutely not considering joining the opposition.

         Shortly before he was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as administrator of the NIA, Lomibao gave indications that he may be interested to run for governor when he opened several calling stations in Pangasinan to give free calls to families have Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) relatives anywhere in the world as a member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Cubao.

         Observers believe that his plan to seek the gubernatorial post anew was prompted by recent appointment of Manuel Bonoan as acting secretary of the Department of Public Works vice Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane who was moved to the Department of Defense. Lomibao had expected to be named to the DPWH post.

         If Lomibao pursues his plan, he could be one among the many retired generals who are throwing their hats for the first time in the political ring in Pangasinan this coming election.

The list of potential politicians includes retired three-star General Reynaldo Velasco who will likely run for congressman in the third district; retired three-star General Alberto ‘Boysie’ Braganza, formerly commander of the Southern Command, will likely challenge Rep. Arthur Celeste in the first district; retired Coast Guard Admiral Elpedio Padama will seek the mayorship of Burgos town; and Espino, who joined politics in 2001 and won a seat in Congress.

 

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