Shahani leaves majority coalition
LINGAYEN—With still more than a year and a half before the next election, political positioning is already shaping up.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Member Ranjit Ramos Shahani, representing the 6th District, bolted from the majority coalition in the council, although he assured his continuing support to the programs of Governor Amado Espino Jr.
Shahani, nephew of former President Fidel V. Ramos, bid goodbye to the majority coalition formed by Lakas Kampi, National People’s Coalition, Liberal Party (LP), and Biskeg Pangasinan, during a privilege speech last November 14.
Shahani said his move was made in coordination with LP national and provincial leaders including former Gov. Victor Agbayani, who lost to Espino in the 2010 election, former Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, and his cousin, Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza.
Shahani had a falling out with Agbayani but his recent decision indicates that he may have already reconciled with the former governor.
Shahani also hinted that his move is prompted by reports of the plan of the party of President Benigno Aquino III to field a complete ticket in the provincial, city and municipal elections in Pangasinan in 2013
LONE MINORITY
The two other LP board members in the SP, Teofilo Humilde Jr. of the 1st District and Generoso Tulagan Jr. of the 3rd District, are reportedly staying in the majority coalition.
“I did not ask them (Humilde and Tulagan) to follow me, so both of them remain with the majority coalition,” said Shahani, son of former Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani.
The majority coalition in the SP supporting the programs of Governor Espino is led by Vice Governor and presiding officer Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr.
In an interview with the PUNCH, Shahani said that as the lone minority in the SP, he will still support the governor strictly on the basis of “principle by principle” and “issue by issue”.
In leaving the majority coalition, Shahani also automatically resigned as the vice chairman of the committee on international relations in the SP.
Shahani resigned from the majority coalition just three days after the provincial government honored his grandfather, the late Ambassador Narciso Ramos, with a memorial bust at the capitol in commemoration of his 121st birth anniversary.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
