90% of P’sinan leaders support GMA, pols say

DAGUPAN CITY — It will be a fight between two Pangasinenses in the presidential election tomorrow but top provincial leaders predict President Arroyo’s victory over her main rival, Fernando Poe Jr., since 90 percent of them are supporting her.

Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera Jr., whose town has about 48,149 registered voters, told The STAR that Mrs. Arroyo devoted a lot of time and carried out many projects in Pangasinan.

Mrs. Arroyo’s mother, Evangelina, hailed from Binalonan town, and Poe’s father, San Carlos City.

Since the national campaign began last December, the President has visited this vote-rich province about 16 times.

Poe came here only twice only to attack the President in his campaign speeches, De Vera added.

Sto. Tomas Mayor Antonio Villar Jr. said only about six incumbent Pangasinan mayors are supporting Poe.

Majority of the mayors backing Mrs. Arroyo’s bid for a fresh six-year mandate belong to the Biskeg na Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan) which Villar founded.

Biskeg is composed of pro-Arroyo mayors, vice mayors, councilors and board members in Pangasinan’s 44 towns and four cities.

The province has a total registered voters of 1,326,186.

Villar said more local leaders have joined the bandwagon of Mrs. Arroyo in Pangasinan and that those who used to rally behind other presidential bets in the sixth and third districts have shifted their support to Mrs. Arroyo.

Villar, meanwhile, laughed off reports supposedly from the opposition that 15 Pangasinan’s mayors are working for Poe’s victory.

"Sumobra yata na ang bilang nila ng Pangasinan mayors (It seems they have miscounted Pangasinan mayors)," he said.

Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, acting provincial Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats), said the presidential race is a fight between two Pangasinenses, and between mere popularity, for Poe, and proven track record and capability, for Mrs. Arroyo.

Meanwhile, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz denied reports that he is supporting Poe.

Cruz said anybody can visit him here, like what Poe’s wife, actress Susan Roces, did two weeks ago. But Roces’ visit, he said, did not mean that he was endorsing the opposition standard bearer’s candidacy.