Police, military top brass rise, fall in Pangasinan

By Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Former police general Leopoldo N. Bataoil will soon represent the 2nd District of Pangasinan, after dominating Monday’s elections in one of the country’s vote-rich provinces.

Bataoil, along with three former military and police officials, seems to be striking some luck in a shift from uniformed service to politics but four other retired police and military generals have failed in their attempts.

The former National Capital Regional Police Office director, who is known for being media-friendly, posted an easy win and now represents the towns of Lingayen, Mangatarem, Binmaley, Sual, and Labrador in Congress.

Incumbent Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr., also a retired military official, is guaranteed for his second term as the province’s local chief executive after he convincingly won over former governor and incumbent 2nd District Rep. Victor Agbayani in the gubernatorial race.

The prospects are also good for retired Commodore Virgilio Marcelo, a candidate for the mayor of San Manuel, and retired PNP general Narcelino Navaro, who is seeking reelection as the mayor of Bani town.

The only problem is that the results have not been fully released because of transmission problems encountered by the PCOS machines used in their areas.
But former Presidential Management Staff and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Hermogenes Esperon was not so lucky in his bid for congressman in the 6th District when he lost the vote to incumbent Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas.

Incumbent Sta. Barbara Mayor Reunaldo Velasco, a retired PNP official, was also unseated by former Mayor Carlito Zaplan in their tightly fought contest for the mayoralty.

Retired PNP Deputy Director for Administration Ismael Rafanan also lost the race in Villasis town while retired PNP general Silverio Alarcio who tried his luck in the mayoral race in Lawac town, one of the smallest municipalities in the 5th District, did not make it.