DAGUPAN CITY—Two congressmen, a vice governor, a former police director general, and the doctor-wife of the incumbent governor may slug it out in a free-for-all gubernatorial race in Pangasinan this May.
Pangasinan’s second district Rep. Amado Espino Jr. said he had been aiming for the gubernatorial seat, which will be vacated by Gov. Victor Agbayani, who is now on his last term.
“It’s still an option and I’ve been preparing for it,” said Espino, who is now on his second term.
Sixth district Rep. Conrado Estrella III, despite reports he had decided to seek reelection for his last term in his district, has not “completely dropped out of the race yet.”
“He is still considering running for governor,” an Estrella supporter, who requested anonymity, said.
Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, for his part, said any vice governor “would like to become governor someday.”
“So, since it’s already my last term, and the governor is also in his last term, my direction is toward the governorship,” Lambino, provincial chair of the administration Lakas Party, said.
Former Philippine National Police Director General (now National Irrigation Administration chief) Arturo Lomibao said his gubernatorial bid is still on.
“Tuloy ang laban (The fight is still on),” Lomibao said in a text message.
On the candidacy of Agbayani’s wife, Jamie Eloise, a doctor, the provincial information office in Lingayen cited on Wednesday a “growing clamor for the governor to field his wife.”
All of the possible candidates are aligned with the administration.
Inquirer Northern Luzon
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