P’sinan gov derby: Agbayani vs Villar?

URDANETA CITY — Pangasinenses are still in suspense over how the province’s gubernatorial race will shape up.

This, as re-electionist Gov. Victor Agbayani failed to get a categorical answer from Sto. Tomas Mayor Antonio Villar Jr. when the two met here last Saturday, to discuss if the latter would indeed run against him, as what a number of mayors wanted.

The meeting, held at the residence of Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr., was witnessed by fifth district Rep. Mark Cojuangco, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino who is Agbayani’s running mate and Villar’s cousin, board members Emmanuel Carancho and Dionisio Villar Jr. and Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., President Arroyo’s cousin and president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

Villar politely told Agbayani that he could not say yet if he would run against him or not, saying he still had to consult his supporters.

Majority of the Pangasinan mayors, provincial board members and congressmen have signified their all-out support for Villar in case he decides to seek the governorship.

Saturday’s meeting was requested by the camp of Agbayani, who is seeking a third and last term under the banner of the administration party Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats (CMD).

Villar, who is partyless but is aligned with the Cojuangcos of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, has been a mayor since 1972. He was re-elected in 2001, succeeding his wife who was Sto. Tomas mayor for three successive terms.

Villar enjoys the support of local leaders belonging to different political parties, who regard him as "godfather" and consult him during elections.

For his part, Agbayani enjoys name recall among barangay folk since his late father, Aguedo Agbayani, was the longest-serving governor of Pangasinan.

Last Saturday afternoon, reports circulated that Villar proceeded to the Commission on Elections’ provincial office in Dagupan City to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) after his meeting with Agbayani.

The reports, however, turned out to be false. Villar merely accompanied Cojuangco to the Comelec office to file his COC for a second term as congressman.

Agbayani will be running unopposed if Villar decides not to challenge him.

Villar told The STAR that he will announce his final decision just before the deadline for the filing of COCs which is at midnight today.

For his part, Agbayani has remained mum about Villar’s possible candidacy, but the governor’s aides are hoping that the Sta. Tomas mayor will not enter what local political observers describe will be an interesting gubernatorial race.