PANGASINAN, Philippines – The political pot in this province is starting to brew this early after nine mayors and two board members, with the backing of their congressman from the first district, openly declared their all-out support to the gubernatorial bid in 2016 of former fifth district congressman Mark Cojuangco.
These Pangasinan leaders trooped to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) headquarters in Quezon City on Friday and told journalists why they decided to back up Cojuangco, son of NPC founder and former Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, for Pangasinan governor in the next elections.
Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste, spokesman of the group, said his fellow mayors made the decision after consulting each other.
Celeste, a former congressman, said they have the blessing of his brother, incumbent first district Rep. Jesus Celeste, who was not around when they came to the NPC headquarters.
Aside from Celeste, present for the declaration of support for Cojuangco were Mayors Gwen Yamamoto of Bani, Carlitos Reyes of Mabini, Aldrin Cerdan of Anda, Jose Pajeta Jr. of Agno, Noli Celeste of Bolinao (also the congressman’s brother), Noel Nacar of Dasol, and Alberto Guiang of Burgos; first district board members Anthony Sison and Napoleon Fontelera Jr., and Vice Mayor Richard Martinez of Infanta.
Not present but also joining them in their decision was Sual Mayor Roberto Arcinue who has been vocal of his support for Cojuangco.
In the first district, only the mayor of Infanta belongs to the Liberal Party and was therefore not around, but his vice mayor joined the other mayors in their declaration of support for Cojuangco.
“This is our official stand. We are supporting the gubernatorial bid of former congressman Mark Cojuangco and we will stick with the NPC,” Celeste said.
He denied reports that they would bolt the party like what five board members did in June.
He added that they would support all the NPC candidates for congressmen and governor down to the councilors in 2016.
Celeste denied that they are cutting their ties with Gov. Amado Espino Jr.
He said Espino is in his third and final term and that he is not yet endorsing anyone to be his gubernatorial candidate.
There is talk, however, that the governor’s son and namesake, board member Amado Espino III, president of the provincial Liga ng mga Barangay, is being groomed by the governor to succeed him but the Espino camp would not confirm this yet.
Espino and his son also belong to the NPC.
Celeste said the first district mayors respect the governor, who he described as the “best governor Pangasinan ever had.”
Celeste said he has relayed to the young Espino about their support for Cojuangco and they hugged each other.
“Not that we don’t like him (young Espino) but why don’t we give Congressman Mark, a leader of our party who has helped us for nine years, the chance?” he added.
Celeste said they have been fair with the governor for coming out with their decision early “so at least he would know what to do (on his son’s possible gubernatorial bid).”
“Anyway we have helped him (the governor) in the last three elections,” he said.
For his part, Nacar, president of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League, said their decision shows that the first district mayors have teamwork and are solid.
He said they had talked several times and weighed the advantages and disadvantages before making public their support for Cojuangco.
“We did not hear Congressman Celeste to dictate us where we should go but he asked us individually about our feelings and opinions until we reached this decision because majority of us said we would remain with the NPC. We are together where one is, so we are here together to show our solid support,” Nacar added.
For his part, Cojuangco said he is humbled by the support of the mayors.
“I am anxious to be able to prove my leadership to all of them. I’m anxious to make sure that they are not disappointed in their decision to support me,” he said.
Cojuangco declared his gubernatorial plan last February and has since been going around the province to make known his bid.