3 Cornered Mayoralty Race in Lingayen

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN – A former mayoral candidate of this capital town said it could be a three- cornered mayoralty derby here in the 2016 polls.

Castaneda

Joe Ferrer, a former councilor and 2010 mayoralty bet, said that it is not true that it would be a four cornered clash in the next election but a three cornered probable fight as he told those who endorsed him here that he is not interested for the top post.

Pasiliao

Ferrer said he dismissed the requests of those who prodded him despite his burgeoning private contracting business that could bankroll his chance in 2016.

Verzosa

Political kibitzers have been discussing these days about the candidacies of this town mayor Josefina “Iday” Castaneda, Vice Mayor Nepthalie D. Pasiliao, and former Police Provincial Director Mariano Luis “Sonny” Verzosa, and Ferrer.

A source, who asked anonymity, said that Governor Amado T. Espino is divided whom to support between Pasiliao and Verzosa – his political consultant at the Capitol here.

But other political observers opined he has a moist eye on Pasiliao as he has enough financial chests to wage an electoral war against Castaneda.

Castaneda is supported by gubernatorial aspirant Mark Cojuangco and Abono Party-list Rosendo So – the province's acknowledged king maker.

But Ferrer dismissed the observation, he said Pasiliao would remain as re-elective vice mayoral candidate if his god father former mayor Nolan Evangelista throws his hat in the melee.

“Mahahati ang boto nila”.

Another source said with the political landscape here still fluid, Verzosa and Councilor Judy de Leon Vargas could be found running for the vice mayoralty here.

Ferrer, an ally of Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil (2^nd District, Pangasinan), said that Vargas would seek reelection for the councilorship instead of the number two post as she is groomed to run for the Philippine Councilors League-Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, a source who asked not to be named from the camp of Congressman Bataoil said that all their staff from the village consultants up to their congressional office here are apolitical comes the May 2016 election.

“Ayaw ni Cong na ma-divide ang suporta sa kanya ng botante dahil ang supporters niya run for an elective office”.

The source cited what happened in the last village election in 2013 when their supporters ran and lost.

“They lost their affiliation too from us because they violated the memorandum that they should be apolitical in the polls”.

The source also cited that in the last town fiesta celebrated at the plaza here former governor and Congressman Victor Agbayani was seen hopping from one table to another table of the village officials by breaking breads with them and giving them a bottle of red wine.

Agbayani is rumored to reclaim his post from Bataoil despite meeting the solon lately.

An Agbayani close supporter, who asked anonymity, however denied that a meeting ensued between him and the solon.