Espino-Agbayani ‘word’ war starts
LINGAYEN–The past and the present governors are at loggerheads.
Former governor Victor Agbayani, who served the maximum three-year terms and is now sitting as a congressional representative, has tagged his predecessor, incumbent Governor Amado Espino Jr. a “nevernor”, referring to his alleged refusal to accommodate barangay officials at the capitol.
“This is governance, this is not politics,” was the reply given by Espino through Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan.
“Barangay officials are not beggars who come to Urduja and line up for petty request. All they have to do is to write and send their resolutions to the provincial government and the governor will answer all their requests,” said Baraan during a press conference on Friday.
This system, Baraan said, is part of the governor’s move towards cultural reform in public service, starting with the development of self-respect and dignity among public officials.
The provincial governor added that Espino actually goes out to the barangays to personally look into their situations and help address their needs.
The brewing war between Agbayani and Espino is seen as a prelude to the May 2010 elections wherein the two might be contending for the governor position.
BURIED MEDICINES
Meanwhile, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council Executive Paterno Orduna gave assurance that the investigation on the expired medicines and medical supply found buried within the capitol grounds is continuing.
Orduña said the inquiry will be a long and tedious process but the Office of the Ombudsman is exerting all efforts to ferret out the truth and eventually serve justice by filing charges against those who will be found accountable.
The medicines are believed to have been buried during the administration of Agbayani.
As to the anticipated Agbayani-Espino battle for governorship, Orduña said, “Matalino ang mga botante. Alam nila kung sino ang karapatdapat na iboto. Nakikita nila kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga namumuno at alam nila kung sino ang tunay na nagsisilbi. At hindi natitinag si Governor Espino.”
Baraan further said that the Espino administration is doing its best for the development of the province, and one of the top priorities now is to push for an improved agricultural sector.
“It is one of the goals of the provincial government to enhance Pangasinan agriculture which initially started with the upgrading of its various support facilities so that we can have the capability to educate our farmers with proper agricultural technology,” Baraan said.—LM
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
