“FULL SPEED AHEAD”

STO. TOMAS–Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr., chief of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG), is cheering on Governor Amado Espino Jr. to ignore his critics and keep the momentum for good governance in the province.

Villar, founder of the local “Biskeg na Pangasinan” party, said he rates Espino’s performance as a 9 out of a possible 10 and chided the governor’s detractors for obstructing good governance.

Citing the provincial projects in his hometown, Sto. Tomas, considered the smallest in area among the 44 towns of Pangasinan, Villar hailed the construction of a school building and roads simultaneously, a situation he said that has never happened before.

“Ipagpatuloy mo ang ginagawa mong manganda,” Villar told Espino whom he advised not to allow himself to be dragged down by his critics.

“We should not rate him on just one thing which is not really his fault,” said

Villar, obviously referring to criticisms against the continued widespread jueteng operations in the province and the distribution of shotguns to barangay chiefs.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz recently gave the governor a “failing mark” for his performance owing principally to the two controversial issues, while Alaminos City Nayor Hernani Braganza criticized the governor’s decision to arm barangay chiefs. Former Speaker Jose de Venecia echoed his disappointment as well in his failure to contain jueteng and for the distribution of the shotguns.

Villar said several investors, encouraged by Espino’s accomplishments such as the renovation of the Capitol building and surrounding area, have recently expressed interest in infusing capital for tourism projects in the province.

Meanwhile, the governor has called on the members of the local media “to be fair and responsible” in their reportage even as he cited their role as the government’s watchdog.

Espino, in his Christmas party treat for about 2,500 media practitioners in Pangasinan held Sunday night in front of the Capitol building, said he has “always considered the media as partners in public service but the local media should raise the level of their criticisms”.

“Kindly consider me as your friend. I can take criticism but the working media must attain a class above the rest,” he said.

As opinion makers, Espino said the media should criticize with the thought that it will help the province.-LM

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