Ortega, Dumpit slug it out anew for La Union governor

MANILA, Philippines - It’s a return bout between incumbent Gov. Manuel “Manoling” Ortega and former second district representative Tomas “Tom” Dumpit Sr. for the May 2010 gubernatorial post in La Union.

Dumpit filed his certificate of candidacy for the governorship early Dec. 1 while Ortega filed 15 minutes before the Comelec provincial office closed.

Dumpit is running under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD while Ortega is under the banner of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

The two political roosters of La Union first fought in the gubernatorial race in 2007 but Ortega knocked down Dumpit with tens of thousands of votes based on election results.

But the former congressman, a retired general, never gave up and filed a protest nullifying the proclamation of Ortega due to alleged irregularities.

Meanwhile, incumbent second district Rep. Tomas “Butch” Dumpit Jr. and former Agoo mayor Dr. Eufranio “Frannie” Eriguel are also slugging it out this time one-on-one unlike in 2007 where there was a third candidate.

Butch is with his father’s party while Eriguel is under NPC.

Eriguel is being supported by nine of the 11 incumbent mayors in the second district.  

In the first district, incumbent Rep. Victor Ortega of Lakas-Kampi-CMD is already sure of getting another term in Congress because he is being challenged by an independent and unfamiliar opponent James Paul Orros, who claimed to be a relative of the Ortegas.

Tandems

Moreover, in Pangasinan, it’s either father and son, father and daughter, or husband and wife tandems vying for the mayoralty and vice mayoralty posts in the 2010 elections. 

Mayor Roy Macanlalay of Calasiao town who is now on his third term is sliding down to the position of vice mayor while his son, Councilor Mark Roy Macanlalay is eyeing the mayoralty post in the 2010 polls. Both are running under Lakas-Kampi-CMD-Biskeg na Pangasinan ticket. 

In the capital town of Lingayen, re-electionist Mayor Ernesto “Jonas” Castañeda Jr. has his daughter Sheila Castañeda-Gonzales as his running mate, both under Lakas-Kampi-CMD-Biskeg na Pangasinan party. 

In Basista town, Orlando de Guzman, running for mayor under Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) has his brother Ferdinand de Guzman as his running mate. 

In San Manuel town, graduating Ma-yor Salvador Perez is also going one post lower as vice mayor while his son, Vice Mayor Alain Jerico Perez is going one notch higher as mayor. Both are under the Nationalist People’s Coalition ticket.

In Labrador, George Vinoya, the incumbent vice mayor, is trying his luck for the next higher post as mayor under the NPC with his father-in-law, incumbent Mayor Ernesto Acain, sliding down as his vice mayor under Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

San Carlos City has brothers Mayor Julier Resuello and Vice Mayor Joseres Resuello seeking re-election under Lakas-Kampi-CMD-Biskeg na Pangasinan. 

In Aguilar town, Clarita Evangelista of the NPC is eyeing the mayoralty post while her husband, Mayor Ricardo Evangelista under Lakas-Kampi-CMD who is now in his third term, is her tandem for vice mayor.

In San Fabian, Irene Libunao is running for mayor while her husband, graduating Mayor Mojamito Libunao Jr. is eyeing the post of board member of Pangasinan’s fourth district. Both are under NPC-Biskeg na Pangasinan.

First district board member Alicia Pulido (PMP) is bent on returning to her post as mayor of Anda while her daughter, Maki Pulido is eyeing the congressional seat under PMP-Biskeg na Pangasinan.

First district Rep. Arthur Celeste who is now on his third term is seeking the mayoralty post in Alaminos City while his two brothers, Bolinao Mayor Alfonso Celeste is seeking re-election and former Bolinao mayor Jesus Celeste is hoping to inherit his brother’s throne as congressman. All are running under Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Meanwhile, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. is seeking re-election while his son, Bautista Mayor Amado Espino III is running unopposed in his re-election bid. Both are candidates of Lakas-Kampi-CMD-Biskeg na Pangasinan.

Second district Rep. Victor Agbayani who is making a comeback bid as governor has his wife, Dr. Jamie Eloise Agba-yani as congressional candidate, both under the Liberal Party.

Independent

Agbayani’s brother, Luis Agbayani, is also trying his luck again to regain his old post as mayor of Sual town as an independent candidate. 

Re-electionist Rosales Mayor Ricardo Revita (Lakas) has also his wife, Patricia Revita running also as mayor of Balungao town under Biskeg na Pangasinan.

Fifth district board member Danilo Uy (NPC-Biskeg) is seeking re-election while his wife, Myrna Bell Uy is running for vice mayor of Binalonan under NPC while their son Dennis Uy is running for vice mayor of Pozorrubio town.

In related developments, Gov. Victor Areno Yap said yesterday that “he still has a lot of things to do as governor of Tarlac.”

This was Yap’s reason why he ran again for re-election after he and his NPC team filed their COC at the provincial Commission on Elections office here.

Yap, who will be seeking his second term of office will have Pura Mayor Wilfredo “Boying” Sawit as his running mate with board member bets Mayantoc Mayor Tito Razalan, former Pura mayor Mario Maddela and former ABC Federation president Noel dela Cruz of the first district Legal Officer Godofredo Sabado Jr., former board member Bienvenido Buan, former Gerona mayor Harmes Sembrano and former San Isidro barangay captain Virgilio Garcia of the second district and incumbent board member Danilo David, and former board member Rolando Pineda and Joseph Da-vid of the third district.

The young governor has conceptualized landmark projects and programs such as the “Natural Tarlac,” a project about the natural way of farming and the “Four First” a program that addresses the four basic necessities of a community the education first, food first, jobs first and the health first.               – With Ric Sapnu