Espinos of Pangasinan bolt NPC; mayors pledge support

By Liezle BasaInigo

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. and three other elected family members on Monday bolted the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC), citing differences in opinion and priorities.

Mayor Amadeo Espino and Junel Anthony Espino of Bautista and Bugallon towns, along with the governor’s son, Board Member Amado “Pogi” Espino III, likewise, resigned from the NPC.

The younger Espino earlier announced his plan to replace his father as provincial governor in the 2016 elections and will be challenged by former Rep. Mark Cojuangco, son of NPC founder and chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

“As elected leader of the entire province of Pangasinan, the undersigned Governor finds it grossly improper, and totally out of place, to announce political preferences, or to actively take part in any partisan activity, at this point in time when the next elections, in May 2016, are still a long way to go,” Gov. Espino said.

Eight provincial board members earlier pledged their support for the younger Espino’s gubernatorial bid.

The Manifestation for Commitment for Unqualified and Voluntary Support was signed by Board members Alfonso Bince Jr., Raul P. Sison, Liberato Villegas, Nestor D. Reyes, Danilo. Uy, Generoso D. Tulagan Jr., Sheila Marie P. Galicia and Angel M. Baniqued Jr.

Cojuangco, who had announced his gubernatorial bid in February this year, has been courting the support of mayors and local leaders. 

More than a week ago, nine mayors from the province’s first district declared their support for him.

BM “Pogi’’ Espino who is also the provincial federation of the Liga ng mga Barangay said, “It is still early for politics, ‘matagal pa ang eleksyon’, let’s all buckle down to work first.”