Deretsahan
Who will run unopposed?
By Bebot Villar
TO refresh your memory, 21 candidates for Congress, board member, mayor, vice mayor and councilor in Pangasinan in the 2013 elections ran unopposed. Two were congresswomen, two were board members, five for mayor, four for vice mayor and eight for councilor in my hometown Sto. Tomas.
Unopposed in 2013 were 3rd District Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas, but she allowed her mother now Cong. Baby Arenas to substitute for her; 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias; 5th District Board Members Danilo Uy and Clemente Arboleda Jr.; Mayors Silverio Alarcio Jr of Laoac, Eldred Tumbocon of Umingan and Amadeo Gregory Perez IV of Urdaneta City; Vice Mayors Alain Rabang of Umingan, Dionisio Caburao of Sual and Paz Rafanan of Villasis.
A history in Pangasinan was made by Sto. Tomas town when by the entire slate led by then Vice Mayor Timoteo “Dick” Villar III for mayor, Wilfredo Pescador for vice mayor won unopposed. Tomas Castaňaga Jr, Alfredo Eleccion, Dominador Lardizabal, Jerry Marquez, Benjamin Oculto Jr, Ely Ramos, Estefania Vengco and Leonora Zarasate became councilors.
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Admittedly, it’s still premature and difficult to say right now who would be the next fortunate bets who would be unopposed. Many are already asking but there are still no definite answers.
Sure na si former 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco and Calasiao Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay will team up. BM Amado Espino III a.k.a. Pogi followed suit and made known his intention to run for governor. What remains uncertain is his running-mate. Will it be Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr who still has one term? Or, will it be the Gov. Amado Espino Jr who will partner with his son? So will it be Espino-Espino versus M and M (Mark Cojuangco and Mark Roy Macanlalay)?
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Will reelectionist 1st District Rep. Jesus “Boying” Celeste, on his third term, end up unopposed? Or will former Alaminos City Mayor Nani Braganza want his old congressional position back kasi mukhang napabilib na ni Mayor Art Celeste ang mga taga-Alaminos dahil sa malaking transformation na kasi ang ginawa agad ni Mayor Art. Pero teka muna, mukhang nag e-enjoy naman si Nani sa DILG kahit walang official designation, and would rather help his friend Sec. Mar Roxas in a private capacity lang.
Will Kim Bernardo make a comeback to run against re-electionist Leopoldo Bataoil sa 2nd District? Pol resigned from the NPC and is rumored to be eyeing the Liberal Party as his party. But will former Gov. Victor Agbayani, an LP stalwart in Pangasinan, agree who might be considering to retake his old position vs. Pol? Wala pang malinaw.
Sa 3rd District, nagpapakita recently sa mga fiestas itong si former Cong. Gener Tulagan. Is he merely representing his son and namesake, BM Generoso “Jun” or may balak siyang mag political comeback? Babanggain kaya ni Gener ang matibay na mag-inang Arenas? A Cong. Baby vs. ex-Cong Gener, can be exciting to watch but it looks like ever-ready si Baby sa kanyang “bala” (you know what I mean). Kaya na rin kaya uli ni Gener ang makipagsabayan?
Sino ang lalaban uli kay 4th District Rep. Gina de Venecia? Ex-Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim suffered a major blow in his health in 2013. Itong laban sa 3rd and 4th congressional is worth watching kasi baka pinagpipilian lang ni Gov. Espines.
Sino naman babangga kay Cong. Kimi Cojuangco in 5th District? Pwede rin daw si Gov. Espines because his roots are in Bautista. Just in case mangyari ito, this will be a battle of the titans. Saan kaya mag-transfer si Gov from his polling precinct in Bugallon.
Sa 6th District, l it will be a walk in the park for re-electionist Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas. Will anyone dare kaya na labanan sya kung kailan mas tumibay na siya?
As the filling deadline nears, the excitement builds up. Easy lang muna at huwag na kayong mag-siraan. Isyu lang, walang personalan. Dahil malamang after the election, kayo-kayo uli ang magkikita-kita, magkaka-sama-sama at magiging magkakaibigan kaya dapat sports lang!
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