Espino’s political will

GOVERNOR Amado Espino Jr.’s re-election victory in the polls last May, which gave him a second term, was a clear sign of approval from the people of his performance as the leader of Pangasinan in his first three years in office. That he won by a landslide, getting about two-thirds of the more than 1.5 million votes, was a resounding confirmation of his popularity. Pangasinenses do love their governor.

Proving that he does not intend to disappoint the people who have put their trust in him, Espino has shown even more industriousness in his first 100 days of renewed service — going about his programs on the environment, the economy and social welfare. The governor undeniably tops them all in this regard.

But the jueteng issue has come to hound Espino – a sort of Achilles’ heel to the governor. It is unlikely that it will lead to his downfall, but it could significantly stain his legacy as one of the, or possibly the best governor the province has ever had.

Jueteng has by and large been stopped in the province, and that’s because Espino made an order to the police authorities two weeks ago to get rid of the illegal numbers game that has long been a plague. Regardless of whatever else it indicates, what this accomplishment shows is that political will is what it takes and Espino has got it.

Now we hope that the governor does not succumb to pressures and temptations from those who lost their big payolas from jueteng operations. Time will tell whether Espino’s political will hold ground, take root and flourish ever after such that Pangasinan will truly be among the few proud localities that can claim that there is absolutely no jueteng around.

Now, with the move in the provincial board to introduce the Small Town Lottery (STL), there are grounded fears that it just becomes just a legalized front for jueteng and payola for the powerful few will continue.

Pangasinenses will be waiting and watching Governor Espino’s next inclination.

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