“IT’S THEM, NOT US!”

SISON—Two days before the election, the Espinos and the Cojuangcos traded barbs on massive vote-buying in the province.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr accused his rival, re-electionist Rep. Kimi Cojuangco who is seeking her third term, of massive vote –buying, with her husband, former Rep. Mark Cojuangco, who is running for governor against Espino’s son and namesake, Board Member Amado Espino III.

Espino showed to local newsmen Friday a QR-coded stub allegedly distributed by Cojuangco’s camp in exchange for cash.

Sought for comments, Rep. Kimi Cojuangco, said in a text message, “How do I disclaim what Espino says? It’s his word against mine.”

She narrated a recent speaking incident in her district where she felt elated because so many people arrived.

“After my speech, I was preparing to leave and started shaking hands. To my surprise, I was asked by many where was the money I was supposed to hand them? Several of them showed me the same text. It read:  Fr Kimi: pls come to (my location at that time) because after my speech I will be giving 2K pesos.” Cojuangco said.

She said, “I was in shock and told them that I did not send out that text.”

She said this happened on many occasions.

“It’s really up to people like you and Pangasinaneses to believe him or not,” Cojuangco said.

Former Rep. Mark Cojuangco also told The PUNCH that Espinos’ camp is the one doing massive vote-buying across Pangasinan, especially in Pozorrubio, Urdaneta City, San Carlos City, Bugallon, Urbiztondo.

“There is (Espinos’ vote-buying). It’s massive,” Mark Cojuangco said.

Engr. Rosendo So, founding chairman of Abono partylist and Cojuangco’s ally, said people really flock to areas where Cojuangco’s lawyers and staff hold meetings or seminars because he is Pangasinan’s favorite gubernatorial candidate.

“Those who come are poll watchers and coordinators. Cojuangco really has many supporters and unlike Espino who is using Partido na Pangasinan which is not accredited by the Commission on Elections, I think he would not be entitled to poll watchers, so he is resorting to vote-buying,” So said.

But Espino said this is ridiculous as he and his wife also received a card bearing their name, address, age and other personal information and their precinct believed to have been used by the Cojuangcos in buying votes once the recipients surrender these to identified coordinators.

So however laughed at such allegation, saying, “We are not stupid to use something illegal and print stubs for them to claim their alleged cash for Cojuangco votes. Maybe they are the ones who printed that”

Meanwhile, re-electionist Sixth District Board Member Ranjit Ramos Shahani, an Espino ally, said in an earlier press conference that the Cojuangcos and their allies are resorting to massive vote buying to win the elections which is an insult to the Republic of the Philippines.

Shahani will reportedly file a case against the Cojuangcos and So dared Shahani and Espino to file the case. “Go ahead, file a case, do not resort to mere allegations,” So said.

In a radio interview over dwPR Radyo Asenso in Dagupan City yesterday, Bugallon Vice Mayor Rodrigo Orduna who is now running for mayor again after serving for nine years, said it was Mr. Espino who did vote-buying when he ran for governor.

“Binabaligtad na niya ngayon. Siya ang nagsimula niyan,” he said.

Orduna was one of the closest men of Espino but later turned to be his worst opponent when he charged the governor of plunder for his alleged links to jueteng at the Office of Ombudsman. (Tita Roces)

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