Game of the generals in 2010 P’sinan polls

By Dexter A. See

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — The political arena in one of the biggest provinces in the country is expected to be intense in the forthcoming May 2010 elections because of the expected participation of at least five retired generals who want to seek elective positions in the different parts of the province.

Ret. Gen. Leopoldo Bataoil, former head of the Police Community Relations (PCR) of the Philippine National Police, will try his luck in the congressional race in the second district, which covers the towns of Lingayen, Binmaley, Bugallon, Urbiztondo, Mangatarem Bacista, and Labrador.

Transportation and Communications Assistant Secretary and Land Transportation Office chief Arturo C. Lomibao, a former PNP chief, is also aspiring for an elective post in the fourth congressional district, which covers Dagupan City, Mangaldan, Manaoag, San Jacinto, and San Fabian.

He will be facing a stiff opposition from Gina de Venecia, wife of former House Speaker and incumbent Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. in what is expected to be an interesting showdown in politics.

At the same time, former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who is the current Presidential Management Staff chief, is aspiring for the congressional post in the sixth district, which is composed of the towns of Asingan, Balungao, San Manuel, San Nicholas, San Quintin, Tayog, Rosales, and Umingan. The district is also the so-called territory of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Aside from the three retired police and military officials, Director Silverio Alarcio, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Northern Luzon and who is expected to retire by the end of this month, is eyeing the mayoral post in Lawak.

Ret. Rear Admiral Virgilio Marcelo, an official of the San Roque Power Corporation, will run for mayor in San Manuel.

The number of retired police and military officials joining the political scene is inspired by the excellent performance of Gov. Amado Espino Jr., who is also a retired military official.

Bataoil and Alarcio are classmates of incumbent PNP chief Director-General Jesus A. Verzosa in Magilas Class of 1976 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Verzosa himself hails from Dasul, Pangasinan which is located in the first district.

Three-time Burgos Mayor Domingo Doktor, a former military official, too, has already filed his candidacy as congressman for the first district, which is comprise of Anda, Agno, Alaminos City, Dasul, Infanta, Burgos, Bani, Mabini, and Sual.