Braganza to challenge Espino in Pangasinan gubernatorial bid

BINMALEY, Pangasinan  – Politics in this province is getting hot after Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, who served as congressman and Cabinet secretary, announced his gubernatorial bid for the 2013 elections under the Liberal Party (LP) against re-electionist Gov. Amado Espino Jr. 

In a meeting among local LP leaders in a restaurant here Tuesday, the 48-year-old Braganza was joined by former governor Victor Agbayani.

Braganza was a two-term congressman of Pangasinan’s first district, Agrarian Reform secretary, and later Press secretary.

He is on his third and final term as Alaminos City mayor.

Agbayani, the LP’s provincial chairman, is rumored to be running as congressman in the second district.

There is no categorical confirmation yet on who would be Braganza’s running mate.

But Agbayani said two tandems are being studied by LP leaders: Braganza-Agbayani or Agbayani-Ranjit Ramos Shahani.

This, as the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) said it is going all-out for the re-election bid of Espino Jr., according to party chairman Mark Cojuangco.

Cojuangco, former congressman of Pangasinan’s fifth district and son of NPC chairman emeritus, former Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., said more officials want to join the NPC even as majority of Pangasinan congressmen, mayors and board members belong to the party.  

Cojuangco said the NPC is now tagged as the “ruling party” in Pangasinan and its member-politicians are rallying behind Espino’s re-election bid.

Meanwhile, first district Rep. Jesus Celeste, who is seeking his second term in the 2013 elections, denied a report that he has withdrawn his support for Espino.

“That is completely false. We belong to the same party,” he said. 

Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza has announced his gubernatorial bid against Espino under the Liberal Party.