Fed up with today’s politics, Braganza says he’s quitting

ALAMINOS CITY – Admitting that he is frustrated with the current state of politics in the country, this city’s mayor said he is quitting and will not at all run in the May elections.

"As in wala na (no more). I’m done," Mayor Hernani Braganza told reporters.

The 42-year-old Braganza was former press and agrarian reform secretary and two-time congressman of Pangasinan’s first district. He is now on his second term as mayor of this city, home of the world-famous Hundred Islands.

If he seeks reelection, observers believe it would just be "a walk in the park."

But Braganza said the confusing state of politics today makes him give up his political career.

He said he now wants to spend more time with his family, especially with his young daughter.

Braganza, a former member of the so-called "Spice Boys" in Congress, said his plan to bid politics goodbye is already known to his colleagues, family and friends.

His only concern now is forming the local slate in the coming elections.

Although he ran and won under the Lakas-CMD-UMDP party, he said he has advised his group not to affiliate yet with the administration party.

He said his colleagues have asked him to hang on and continue what he has started. But he said he would tell them that "there can never be a closure in governance because once you improve things, then there’s another challenge."

Braganza bewailed that today’s "unprincipled" politics does not give good lessons to young politicians like him.

"Your companion now will be your enemy tomorrow and your enemy yesterday is your companion now," he said.

"Imagine the foot soldiers of the national political parties are confused. If they are confused, how much more with the people?" he said.