Gov. Espino , Vice Gov. Lambino Proclaimed by Comelec

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Two top elected officials of the Province of Pangasinan have been proclaimed by the Provincial Board of Canvassers at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here after they won the May 13, 2019 local election.

Governor-Elect Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III  (PDP-Laban) has expressed sincerest gratitude for the all-out support and love of Pangasinenses, earning him second term in the highest elected post of the province.

Vice Governor-Elect Mark Lambino (NPC) thrashed seasoned politician  Angel Baniqued, Sr. (PDP- Laban) with  216, 680 lead votes that made the young Lambino a prospect in the 2022 governorship election.

Lambino and Baniqued, a tandem of Espino, garnered 716, 010 and 499, 330 votes, respectively in the hustings that started  in late 2018 even the election for the local candidates is mandated by law to be for 45 days only.

Governor -Elect Amado I. Espino, III (left) and Vice Governor- Elect Mark Lambino. 

Getting his mandate to serve as provincial chief executive from the majority of Pangasinenses who participated in the Midterm Elections held on May 13, Governor Espino, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Laban standard bearer in Pangasinan, garnered 782,073 votes to defeat his lone rival, Alaminos City Mayor Arthur F. Celeste of Nationalista Party (582,872 votes) with 199,201 votes margin.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa suporta at pagmamahal na ipinakita po ninyo. Susuklian po natin ng taos-puso na serbisyo ang inyong pagtitiwala; at ipagpapatuloy ang progreso at pagmamahal sa ating probinsya,” Governor Espino said in an interview right after his proclamation by the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) as newly-elected provincial chief executive, which was held on May 16 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall.

Owing to the patronage of Pangasinenses to the Espino leadership, Governor Espino vowed to continue and to expand further the flagship programs of the provincial administration and his brainchild projects in areas of health, infrastructure, livelihood, employment, community-based projects among others.

Filled with mixed emotions due to the turnout of the election, the young Espino took credit of his father, former governor and incumbent 5^th district Representative Amado T. Espino, Jr., who laid down the blueprint of the province, especially in leading and mobilizing the provincial government in extending public services. 

He sent a message to his fellow public servants who won or lost the election to move on, forget everything, and again work hand-in-hand for the betterment of the province.

Other elected provincial officials were: Lambino (Vice Governor); Board Members – Donabel Fontelera and Orange Humilde-Verzosa (1^st district), Nestor Reyes and Vonmark Mendoza (2^nd district), Vici Ventanilla and Angel Baniqued, Jr. (3^rd district), Jeremy Agerico Rosario and Liberato Villegas (4^thdistrict), Chinky Perez-Tababa and Nicholi Jan Louie Sison (5^th district), and unopposed Noel Bince and Salvador Perez (6^th district).

Congressman Christopher “Toff” De Venecia was also proclaimed by the PBOC on May 16 prior to Governor Espino’s proclamation.

The PBOC led by Provincial Elections Supervisor Ericson Oganiza has already proclaimed all newly-elected provincial officials and congressional representatives. (Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca and Mortz C. Ortigoza)