Binay, Cojuangco hit allegations on jueteng
OPPOSITION BACKS ESPINO
LINGAYEN–Bigwigs of Philippine and local politics doubted the timing of the recent allegation that has dragged the name of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., linking him TO the operation of the ‘illegal numbers’ game jueteng.
Former representative and Nationalist People’s Coalition President Mark Cojuangco said that despite the controversy, their support to Espino remains strong.
He said that while the NPC alliance is with Pres. Aquino, the party awaits the evidence which will be presented by the DILG and see if it will prosper beyond the current hearsay.
“Absent solid evidence, we will maintain support and campaign for our candidate,” Cojuangco disclosed.
Cojuangco also said that the governor may have become a target of the LP because “he is popular” and that the vote-rich province is dominated by the NPC whose members include 39 of Pangasinan’s 48 mayors.
A manifestation of solid support was recently made for Espino by the Pangasinan Mayors’ League and the Liga ng mga Barangay through a written manifesto duly signed by a ruling majority of the province’s local executives down to the grassroots.
Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay who is affiliated with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), recently said that “the fresh investigation could be an administration ploy to control vote-rich Pangasinan ahead of the elections.”
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco echoed Binay’s earlier statement as he said that “the 20013 election is just a few weeks away and the administration and the administration party cannot escape suspicion that politics is one motivation for the sudden interest in jueteng in Pangasinan.
Tiangco said that “securing victory for the administration’s candidate in Pangasinan in 2013 could translate into benefits in the province for Malacanang’s candidate in the presidential election in 2016.
Valenzuela City Representative Rex Gatchalian, who is also the spokesman of the NPC, added that the NPC believe that given the chance to present Espino’s side, he will be able to vindicate himself.
Former Senator Miguel Zubiri also showed his support to Espino.
Zubiri, who was the guest of honor in the just-concluded Calasiao Puto Festival, said the timing of the expose appears to be “political harassment” against the provincial chief executive.
“Bigla na lang nagkaroon ng full national coverage parang biglang nakalimutan ang pinsala na dala ng bagyong Pablo sa Davao Oriental at iba pang parte ng Mindanao. I think medyo foul po. Ako po ay sumusuporta sa kanya,” he said. (PIO)
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