Gubernatorial race heats up with loyalty war
CALASIAO—Who has the support of the mayors in the gubernatorial race?
The Liberal Party (LP), with its frontrunner Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza, claims its them as they condemned what they called a disinformation campaign being waged by re-electionist Gov. Amado Espino Jr.
In a signed statement dated April 17, at least 32 LP candidates across the province said,” We wish to state on record that we never signed a covenant, or any document, supporting the re-election bid of Gov. Espino.”
The statement was an offshoot of an earlier statement from issued by 6th District Board Member Ranjit Ramos Shahani claiming that 17 out of the 26 LP mayoralty bets had defected to Espino.
LP officials in Pangasinan immediately held an emergency meeting and came out with their counter statement.
The signatories re-affirmed their commitment to President Benigno Aquino III and the LP’s efforts to help get Braganza and his runningmate Arturo Lomibao elected as governor and vice governor, respectively, in the May 13 elections.
They said they believe that Braganza is the only gubernatorial candidate who “has the experience, track record and moral fortitude needed to transform Pangasinan into a bustling growth center and possibly, the most progressive province in Northern Philippines.”
P100,000 BRIBE?
At the same time, the LP officials also deplored reported attempts by the rival party to bribe LP official candidates “to entice them to switch loyalty in the middle of the campaign period”
They pointed to re-electionist Shahani as among the personalities working for Espino who allegedly approached LP candidates, offering them P100,000 each in cash and promising them development projects in exchange for their political support.
Shahani, in an interview, has denied the allegation sayin, “What bribery attempt? Where’s their evidence?”
Shahani admitted giving P100,000 to his fellow LP candidates, but stressed that he shared his personal funds “because I am worried they may have money for their campaign but it’s very lacking because LP has no funds”.
FAVORITE GOVERNOR
He said the money was from her mother, former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani as her help for Ranjit’s supposed vice gubernatorial bid.
Ranjit, however, did not get the LP nomination for his vice gubernatorial plan and instead sought re-election and has since openly supported Espino’s candidacy.
“It’s not a dictation (on whom they should support), its consultation,” said Shahani, a first cousin of Braganza.
“Remember, there is LP-Braganza wing and LP Shahani-Espino wing,” he said.
Ranjit further declared, “You tell Nani (Braganza) to stop bribing with his lies, deceit, falsehood and character assassination of decent Pangasinenses,” adding, “This is election, not revolution.”
He said Braganza is the favorite nephew of his mother and he is the favorite son, “but Espino is my mother’s favorite governor”.—Eva Visperas
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