Feelings and truths

By Eva C. Visperas

Everything has its first time. Last Tuesday, in his long years in politics, Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, easily the darling of the press, purposely called for a press conference, for the first time, to clarify some issues.

I have followed Lambino’s political life. Newsmen always seek him for interviews especially after the session in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where he is the presiding officer.

But last Tuesday was different. Prior to his trip to Kuala Lumpur, he deemed it proper to correct some write ups in local newspapers to tell the truth particularly about his anti-drugs abuse campaign and the political situation. But let’s focus on the second, which to our readers, is hotter and more interesting to discuss.

Did you feel bad when Usec Bebot Villar said through a press release that his wife Mayor Vivien is not running as your vice governor?, asked Violy Ferrer of Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan. (Lambino, now in his last term as vice governor, is eyeing the gubernatorial seat).

His answer: Hindi naman ako pulitikong madaling magtampo.

He went on to say that he knew from the very start that Mayora was not keen on running as his runningmate in 2007 elections, and said he fully understands that the mayor is happy running the affairs of her town in Sto. Tomas.

He acknowledged that Board Members Manoy Carancho, Saffe Villar, Angel Baniqued, John Agerico Rosario and Marlyn Agabas are among those whose names are being floated as possible vice gubernatorial bets like Mayora Vivien.

What about the insinuation that someone became a traitor in the pact on the Lambino-Villar tandem?, came Violy’s follow up question.

Lambino’s curt reply: Kung minsan kasi yong mga sumusulat ay sinesenationalize para babasahin. Talagang ganyan sa press. Yong maliit na bagay eh pinapalaki just to make some emphasis ngayon. Kung minsan sumusobra na rin kasi kahit na hindi sinasabi eh dinadagdagan na kayat doon nagkakaroon ng problem.

He said a problem in reporting arises when someone who was not present when something was said, writes about it. The writer either makes a wrong interpretation or tends to add to or subtract from what was discussed, he said.

Why is he saying this? Apparently, there are a number of newsmen who try to give the impression that a rift exists between Lambino and the Villars on account of that press statement. The vice governor denies that emphatically adding “We talk directly and sometimes through some people.”

He pointed out that our colleague Jun Velasco called his attention regarding an article that came out in another local paper regarding this where one was pictured as the underdog and the other contravida. He said he still enjoys Usec Villar’s support.

I asked him, too, how he feels that Governor Victor Agbayani, who was also his runningmate in 2004 and is now “graduating”, is pushing for his wife instead to possibly succeed him.

“Wala naman kaming pinag- usapan ni Gov na pagkatapos niya ako ang papalit pero siyempre kung titingnan naman natin, ako ang vice governor ngayon, magtatapos na rin siya, kung mayroong kahalagahan sa kanya ang aming pagsasama eh dapat sana ako ang tutulungan niya, di ba? Pero nasa sa kanya na yon. That is his call. Ako naman basta kasama ko ang taong bayan I fear no one. Lambino said.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/business-log/)

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