Pangasinan politics: A strictly family affair
A NEW TRADITION
POLITICS could very well now be regarded as a traditional item of inheritance in the Philippines. And that rings loudly true in Pangasinan.
In many parts of the province, candidates related to each other or coming from a line of political families either got re-elected, moved to another position, or won for the first time. Although some also lost in their bids.
In San Manuel town, Mayor Salvador Perez merely switched posts with his son, Vice Mayor Alain Jerico Perez.
Another father-and-son team was voted in Calasiao, where Mayor Roy Macanlalay will become the town’s vice mayor while his son, Councilor Mark Roy Macanlalay, will be the new mayor.
In Binalonan, Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., who ran and lost as candidate for senator, will be replaced by his son, Vice Mayor Ramon Guico III.
Over at Urdaneta City, Mayor Amadio Perez Jr. will be replaced by his son Amadeo Perez IV.
In San Carlos City, the Resuello brothers tandem of Mayor Julier and Vice Mayor Joseres received an overwhelming fresh mandate from their constituents. Their father, Julian, served as mayor for three terms before he was assassinated in 2007 during the campaign where he was running for vice mayor.
In Bautista, Mayor Amado Espino III and his uncle Vice Mayor Jose Espino, easily won as they ran unopposed. Espino III is the son of re-elected Governor Amado Espino Jr.
CONGRESS REPS
In the congressional derbies, Congresswomen-elect Gina de Venecia of the 4th District and Carmen ‘Kimi” Cojuangco of the 5th District replaced their respective husbands, outgoing Congressmen Jose de Venecia Jr. and Mark Cojuangco, respectively.
In the 1st District, former Bolinao Mayor Jesus Celeste will take the congressional seat of his younger Arthur, who in turn lost his bid as mayor of Alaminos City.
Another Celeste, Alfonso, was re-elected as mayor of Bolinao.
HUSBANDS AND WIVES
Meanwhile, Irene Libunao emerged as new mayor of San Fabian while her husband, outgoing Mayor Mojamito Libunao, was elected as board member of the 4th District.
In Dagupan, former Mayor Benjamin Lim came back with a vengeance against Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. while his son Brian won as one of the city councilors. However, Lim’s wife, Celia, lost to De Venecia in the congressional race.
In Pozorrubio, Former Mayor Artemio Chan will re-take the post to be vacated by his wife, outgoing Mayor Emma Chan.
In Villasis, outgoing mayor Nonato Abrenica is going to be replaced by his wife Libradita.
FAILED ATTEMPTS
In Sta. Maria, Teodoro Ramos has ended the reign of the Gines family as he beat Pinky Gines, wife of outgoing Mayor Jose Gines, who is a former mayor herself.
Since the 1986 EDSA Revolution, when Jose was appointed OIC vice mayor, the Gines couple has been alternating for the post of mayor.
In Sison, lawyer Mina Joy Pangasinan also prevented the return of former Mayor Dionisio Lagmay who has been alternating with his wife for the position for many years.
Outgoing Mayor Raul de Guzman of Basista pitted his brother Orlando to take his post but lost.
Another mayor who is completing the maximum three-terms in office, Mayor Ernesto Acain of Labrador, lost his bid for vice mayor to former Mayor Dominador Arenas, while Acain’s brother-in-law also failed in his attempt to become mayor to succeed him.
Voters in Lingayen re-elected Mayor Ernesto Castaneda but rejected his daughter, Shiela Castaneda-Gonzales, and instead chose Edith Hallare for vice mayor.
In the island municipality of Anda, Aldrin Cerdan won as mayor over Board Member Alice Pulido who was making a comeback in place of her husband, incumbent Mayor Nestor Pulido who chose not to seek re-election.
The Pulidos’ daughter, broadcast journalist Maria Judea Pulido, lost in the fight for the 1st District congressional race.—LM
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