No defection to Espino – P’sinan LP bets

CALASIAO, Pangasinan, Philippines – At least 32 candidates of the Liberal Party (LP) in the province have dismissed as just part of a disinformation campaign their supposed defection to the camp of Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

In a statement dated April 17, the LP bets said, “We wish to state on record that we never signed a covenant, or any document, supporting the re-election bid of Gov. Espino.”

The denial was an offshoot of an earlier statement from the Espino camp that 17 out of 26 LP mayoral bets in the province had defected to Espino.

The supposed defection prompted LP officials in the province to hold an emergency meeting and came out with their statement.

The signatories re-affirmed their commitment to President Aquino and the Liberal Party’s efforts to help Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza and Arturo Lomibao win as governor and vice governor, respectively, in the May 13 polls.

They said they believe that Braganza is the only gubernatorial candidate who has the experience, track record and moral fortitude needed to transform Pangasinan into a bustling growth center and possibly, the most progressive province in the North.

They also deplored alleged attempts by the rival camp to bribe LP candidates “just to entice them to switch loyalty in the middle of the campaign period.”

They mentioned re-electionist sixth district board member Ranjit Ramos Shahani as among those working for Espino, alleging that Shahani had approached LP candidates, offering them P100,000 each in cash and promising them development projects in exchange for their political support.

But Shahani told The STAR: “What bribery attempt? Where’s their evidence?”

Shahani admitted though giving P100,000 to his fellow LP candidates from his personal funds “because I am worried they may have money for their campaign but it’s very lacking because LP has no funds.”

He said the money came from her mother, former senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, as help for his vice gubernatorial bid. The board member, however, did not get the LP nomination for his vice gubernatorial plan and instead sought re-election.

“It’s not a dictation (on who they should support), it’s consultation,” he said.

“Remember, there is a LP-Braganza wing and LP-Shahani-Espino wing,” he said, adding that he is openly supporting Espino although Braganza is his cousin.

“You tell Nani (Braganza) to stop bribing decent Pangasinenses with his lies, deceit, falsehood and character assassination,” he said.

“This is election, not revolution,” he added.

He said Braganza is his mother’s favorite nephew and he the favorite son, “but Espino is my mother’s favorite governor.”