LINGAYEN–Just a misunderstanding.

This was how Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim described the seeming feud between Governor Amado Espino Jr. and Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. over the proliferation of jai alai betting stations in the province.

Calimlim, presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), said officials of the provincial government remain united and the word war between Espino and Bince should be easily settled.

“I don’t think this will lead to split among us,” Calimlim said as he pointed out that they “have remained united from the very start and we believe that we will remain united up to the end of this administration.”

The vice governor added that the jai alai issue is not so critical a matter to cause a split among Pangasinan’s top officials.

“Pag ganitong isyu, hindi po ito rason para magkaroon ng hiwalayan”, he said, adding that all the provincial board members are broad-minded and expressed the hope that there will soon be a “meeting of minds.”

Bince, the most veteran of all the provincial legislators, is known to be avid supporter of the governor’s former’s projects and programs.

The word war started after Bince was quoted in a national daily calling for an investigation of the proliferation of jai alai betting stations around Pangasinan, which he claimed is supported by local government officials. Bince, however, did not name names.

Bince earlier filed a resolution before the SP banning the operation of jai alai betting in the province, but the proposal was never scheduled for discussion by the committee headed by Espino’s brother, Amadeo.

In reaction to Bince’s statements, Espino called for a press conference and clarified that while he does not support the jai alai operations, the mayors should not be faulted for issuing permits to Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation which operates the off-fronton betting stations.

Feeling alluded to as one of those who are behind the proliferation of the betting stations, the governor said he has no power to question the discretion of the mayors who issued the permits based on the documents presented by the company.

Calimlim backed Espino saying the jai-alai betting stations are simply business ventures that were allowed by the mayors because the applicant presented the appropriate documents.

Bince was set to deliver a privilege speech on the issue last week but failed to appear. He sent word that he was still undergoing a medical check-up in Manila at the time. However, Bince has not confirmed if he will still deliver a speech in reaction to the governor’s statement finding Bince’s statements as “irresponsible”. –LM

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