Political kingpin mulls more bets to support

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

 After declaring his electoral supports to three candidates eyeing for the provincial board in 2013 polls, a perceived political kingmaker of Pangasinan said he was still evaluating who among the other candidates for members of the board he will support as election campaign lurks around the corner. After assuring support to former Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera for a Sangguniang Panlalawigan seat, and re-electionist Board Members Ranjit R. Shahani (6th District) and Mojamito Libunao {4th District), Abono Partylist Chair Rosendo O. So said he was still checking the credentials of other candidates who are seeking his support. When asked if he will support an incumbent mayor who guns for the SP post, he said “we will check.” So, a philanthropist and a business czar in the region, is a magnet to every politician every time there is an election be it in the presidential, senatorial, congressional and local elections because of his generosity. He throws his support to political candidates of his preference.
 His success in catapulting to power the beneficiaries of his support is regarded as a legend in the province of Pangasinan . So’s major accomplishment was when he steered the Abono Party-list to win seats in the House of Representatives.
First, Abono Partylist won a seat in 2007 elections with Robert Raymund “Eskimo” M. Estrella Jr. of Pangasinan as the lone representative. Second, two nominees for Representatives- Eskimo Estrella and Francisco Emmanuel “ Pacoy” R. Ortega of La Union grabbed the seats in the 2010 polls.
Third ,So will be including three nominees for Abono Partylist 1n 2013 polls with former 6th District Rep. Conrad Estrella of Pangasinan, as the first nominee, incumbent Abono Partylist Rep. Pacoy Ortega as second nominee and Erika Catlin Dy, a lawyer, of Isabela, the third nominee.
he three belongs to formidable political families in Regions 1 and 2. So was ecstatic recently when three of the senators he is supporting in the province landed in the “Magic 12” based on the poll survey conducted by the Issues and Advocacy Center. “Look at our three candidates (Jack) Enrile, (Cynthia) Villar, and (Senator Chiz) Escudero.
They made it,” So exclaimed as he pointed on the names of his bets on his Apple tablet. Meanwhile, So said the gate price of a hog in the market increased after his group’s vigilant monitoring of the entry of imported pork at the Bureau of Customs has paid off. So , a director of Swine Development Council, said every shipment of imported meat at the BoC is being monitored regularly. “Nakita natin na ang market price of local hogs ay tumaas naman with live weight at P98 to P 100 per kilo,” So said adding that the current price is good for the welfare of local hog producers particularly of the backyard hog raisers that composed 70 % of the local swine industry.