FVR’s niece loses to neophyte in PCL-P’sinan poll

CALASIAO, Pangasinan — A niece of former President Fidel Ramos lost to a neophyte councilor when the two slugged it out for the presidency of the Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL) Pangasinan chapter whose winner will sit as an ex-officio member of the provincial board.

Supported by the Biskeg na Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan), an influential group of local political leaders, Binalonan councilor Danilo Uy got 338 votes against two-term Alaminos City councilor Ma. Angela Braganza’s 94 votes, in last Tuesday’s election.

As a sectoral representative, Uy will get the same privileges and perks as any member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The election was participated in by 435 of the 476 councilors from Pangasinan’s 44 towns and three cities. Councilors of Dagupan City, which is a chartered city, do not participate in the PCL provincial chapter’s election.

Uy is the husband of Vice Mayor Myrna Bell Uy of Binalonan town, while Braganza is the sister of former Press Secretary Hernani Braganza, who is now the mayor of Alaminos City.

Political observers view the race for the provincial PCL presidency as a prelude to the 2007 gubernatorial race. There is talk that Mayor Braganza might run for governor in 2007 when Gov. Victor Agbayani ends his third and final term.

Former Sto. Tomas Mayor Antonio Villar Jr., Biskeg president and founder, is also being bruited about as a gubernatorial aspirant.