Celeste Thrills on Cong. Positioning of the Opposition

By Mortz C. Ortigoza, M.P.A 

BOLINAO, Pangasinan - Former nine - year Congressman Jesus “Boying” Celeste relished the political configuration that favors the opposition party in the congressional districts of Pangasinan versus the Espinos.

He told this newspaper the presence of these candidates in the five of the six districts of the province will undermine the strength of the ruling party.

The Espinos are incumbent Governor Amado “Pogi” Espino, III, Second District Rep. Jumel Espino, and their patriarch former Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.

Celeste cited that the aspirants of the United Lights of Pangasinan (Ulopan) in the five districts are formidable.

MARQUEE congressional bets from top left photo clockwise: Former Congressman Art Celeste, former Rep. Mark Cojuangco, Mrs. Maan Guico, Fourth District Rep. Christopher de Venecia, and former Congresswoman Rachel Arenas.

Come backing congressional bet Art Celeste is pitted to 2019 poll defeated congressional bet Tim Orbos in the First District; Former Congressman and Billionaire Mark Cojuangco versus reelective Rep. Jumel Espino in the Second District; Former Congresswoman Rachel Arenas seen to have no opponent in the Third Congressional District; Rep. Christopher “Toff” de Venecia being negotiated by the opposition to side with them in a quid pro quo that they will not field a bet against him, and; Maan Guico pitted with Urdaneta City’s scion of a rich family and former Board Member Clemente “Niño” Arboleda in the Fifth District.

Political kibitzers hope that the Ulopan can convince Hermogenes Cendaña Esperon Jr. to put on the political gloves again and slugged it out in a rematch with former Congresswoman Marlyn Primicias-Agabas in lieu of her husband Six District Rep. Tyrone Agabas who will slide for the mayorship of Tayug town.

In the 2010 election the lady Agabas bludgeoned Esperon in a congressional race despite the latter well oiled political machinery.

But political spectators see Esperon as newly minted behemoth due to his association with President Rodrigo Duterte and the political trappings his post can give.

“They are more stronger now compared to the last election,” Celeste quipped to this writer about the repositioning of the opposition that will give the Espinos a run of their money in the May 9, 2022 poll.

Boying Celeste sees Fifth District Congressman Ramon “Monmon” Guico instead of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon  Secretary Raul Lambino to challenge last term Governor Pogi Espino for the diadem of the 1,946, 564 vote rich's three cities and forty four towns Pangasinan (April 19, 2021 Comelec).

The 123, 927 voters strong Dagupan City is not included as she is an independent component city.

Boying is the oldest among the political family of the Celeste who presently controls the congressional district in Western Pangasinan and the city and town’s of Alaminos and Bolinao.

He is geared to unseat Espinos’ backed Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay in Sual - the fourth richest town in the country- in an expensive election pundits see next year.

This grudge match with Calugay ensued after the latter out smarted and beat in the 2019 election the Celestes’ backed mayoralty bet John Arcinue – a former nine years mayor of the coastal town.

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MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

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I am a twenty years seasoned Op-Ed Political Writer in various newspapers and Blogger exposing government corruptions, public officials's idiocy and hypocrisies, and analyzing local and international issues. I have a master’s degree in Public Administration and professional government eligibility. I taught for a decade Political Science and Economics in universities in Metro Manila and cities of Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Dagupan. Follow me on Twitter @totoMortz or email me at totomortz@yahoo.com.