Mayor being courted to run for P’sinan gov

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Pangasinenses could expect a tight gubernatorial race next year should the mayor of Sto. Tomas town heed the clamor of local politicians to run for the position.

As of yesterday, 28 mayors, four of the province’s six congressmen and majority of provincial board members, belonging to the Biskeg Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan) coalition, have thrown their support behind the possible candidacy of Mayor Antonio Villar Jr.

Incumbent Gov. Victor Agbayani is seeking a final and third term in next year’s elections.

Villar, however, is still undecided, saying though that he is gladdened by the outpouring of support for him.

"This is the time when you can see who your real friends are," he said.

Local politicians have long regarded Villar as their "godfather," consulting him and seeking his blessing and support during elections.

Even local leaders of presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. have been courting Villar to run. Villar is party-less but is aligned with the Cojuangcos of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Villar has been a mayor since 1972. He ran and won in 2001, succeeding his wife who was Sto. Tomas mayor for three consecutive terms.

Should Villar decide to seek the governorship, political observers expect Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino to be in a bind. Lambino is a cousin of Villar and is Agbayani’s running mate.

Former provincial board member Alfonso Bince, who has filed his certificate of candidacy for congressman in the sixth district under the banner of presidentiable Raul Roco, has openly declared his support for Villar.

"For once, I will say that the province needs one who can really impose discipline, who can really have peace and order as priority, particularly against illegal drugs, and one who can unify the province," he said.

Bince added: "As you can witness, he has unified many contending political forces which I’m sure the incumbent governor has not done."

Villar is the son of the late former governor and congressman Antonio Villar Sr., while Agbayani is the son of the late former governor Aguedo Agbayani.