Retired Police Director-General Arturo Lomibao has resigned from his post as head of the National Irrigation Administration to take a crack in Pangasinan politics, particularly to compete for the congressional seat in the fourth district against reelectionist Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and possibly Dagupan Mayor Benjie Lim, a former congressman himself.

Lomibao’s resignation has been accepted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to give the former chief of the Philippine National Police a chance to prove that he is fit to serve the country in another arena.

Lomibao’s announcement to run for congress surprised many of his followers and admirers who were considering him a “compromise” gubernatorial candidate in the face of the earlier stalemate concerning the administration’s selection of its candidate for governor among Dr. Jamie Agbayani, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, and Congressman Amado Espino Jr.

Observers said Lomibao’s change of plan was triggered by his handlers who “were preventing at all costs” a possible political battle with former Governor Oscar Orbos who has also announced his gubernatorial plan.

Earlier reports said Lomibao and Mayor Lim met in a restaurant in Dagupan to assess their positions including the possible withdrawal of either one to strengthen the chances of the other.

Lomibao will run on a platform of increased agriculture productivity and sustained peace and order in Pangasinan.

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