Now that Congressman Gener Tulagan is in his third and last term, talks on who will be his successor in 2007 have begun to circulate in the district’s political circles.
Early on, those considered serious contenders for the congressional seat were San Carlos City Mayor Jolly Resuello, Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino and Board Member Angel Baniqued.
But the unfolding political scenario at present is gradually changing. And it seems that the only possible candidates are Mayor Leo and Board Member Baniqued. Last January, Mayor Jolly issued a statement that although he’s now in his last term, he is not gunning for the congressional position. What he is going to do next is everybody’s guess but we can only surmise that he would rather ensure the election of his son, Vice Mayor Ayoy, as his successor in San Carlos.
He has thrown his full support to Mayor Leo’s congressional bid.
Vice Governor Lambino, on the other hand, may just opt to run for governor or just go back to Malasiqui as mayor. Although, knowing him, he can still make his options open until the 11th hour.
This leaves Board Member Baniqued and Mayor Leo possibly slugging it out one-on-one in the congressional race.
Easily, with this scenario in 2007, we are seeing a very lopsided race. First, in the 2004 elections, Mayor Leo has virtually begun to campaign for 2007 with the consistent announcement of Congressman Gener in his political rallies and meetings that Mayor Leo will be the district’s next congressman.
In turn, despite pressures, Mayor Leo stuck it out with Congressman Gener to the last minute of his electoral fight against former Gen. Orly Soriano, preventing what could have been a mass defection to the Soriano camp of political leaders in the district. And Congressman Gener knows this. As a result, Congressman Gener’s victory was historic: he won by landslide in all the five towns and San Carlos City.
Mayor Leo can also rely on Bayambang’s solid vote, although Board Member Baniqued has consistently won in Bayambang in the past, including in his congressional bid in 2001. But with Mayor Leo as the town’s first possible congressman, there is no doubt that his townmates will rally around him and deliver the hometown votes.
As far as San Carlos is concerned, with the support of both Mayor Jolly and Congressman Gener, Mayor Leo is assured of a big share of the votes in the city, although it is Board Member Baniqued’s hometown.
What will also boost Mayor Leo’s congressional bid is the support of Biskeg na Pangasinan. It is no secret now that one of the closest persons to Biskeg founder, former Sto. Tomas mayor and now DOTC assistant secretary, Bebot Villar is Mayor Leo.
Their closeness is in keeping with the relationship of their old men during their stints as public servants. When Asec Villar’s father, the late Congressman Tonieng Villar was vice governor, Mayor Leo’s old man, who was then concessionaire of the Mangabul Lake, was one of his aides and political leaders.
Mayor Leo’s friendship with Asec Villar has transcended time and politics and each of them has always been ready to help one another through thick and thin.
The 2007 elections may still be two and a half years away. But with this outpouring of support to Mayor Leo, it looks like his congressional bid is unstoppable.
ENDNOTES: The recently concluded Jobs Fair 2005 at the Dagupan City astrodome was a success. Roger Chua of trabaho.com said that at least 30 companies participated, attracting about 5,000 job applicants from the different parts of the province… At 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 12, the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) is holding a free orientation seminar for teachers who want to apply for teaching jobs in the United States at the Loreto Bangsal Boardroom of the YMCA in Dagupan City.
QUOTE: When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through tunnel underneath, or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine -- with God's help! -- Found in a book by Robert Schuller
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