Monday, May 21, 2007 Espino proclaimed Pangasinan guv
LINGAYEN -- Pangasinan second district Representative Amado Espino Jr. and Ma. Rachel Jimenez Arenas made history in Pangasinan in the just concluded elections.
Espino, a retired police officer, ended the 27-year supremacy of the Agbayanis in the province by beating Dr. Jamie Eloise Agbayani, wife of
Pangasinan Governor Victor Agbayani, in the gubernatorial race.
Arenas, on the other hand, became the first woman to be elected as congresswoman in Pangasinan.
Espino and Arenas were proclaimed on Saturday by the provincial board of canvassers headed by Provincial Election Supervisor Reddy Balarbar.
Espino garnered 427,364 votes while Jamie got 391,277.
"The people of Pangasinan have spoken and have given me an overwhelming mandate. I am so humbled and honored by it. I made a promise when I was campaigning. I will always continue to pray that I will have to do the things that I have promised to be my programs of governance," Espino said in his post-proclamation speech.
"May I extend my hands of reconciliation and friendship to my opponents, to my friends who have been at the other side of the fence during the campaign for us to unite Pangasinan. Let us do everything that we can do in cooperation with each other so that Pangasinan will move on," he further said.
Arenas defeated Generoso Tulagan Jr., son of incumbent Pangasinan third district Representative Generoso Tulagan Sr., former deputy customs commissioner Gallant Soriano of the Soriano political clan in San Carlos City and Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera.
Arenas tallied 62,046 votes over Tulagan Jr.'s 61,429, Soriano's 60,564 and de Vera's 22,099.
The proclamation of winners in the elections in Pangasinan was delayed for a while because of the late arrival of the election returns (ERs) and certificate of election canvass (COC) from San Carlos City to the provincial board of canvassers.
Before the ERs from San Carlos City were canvassed, Soriano's lawyer Conrado raised a manifestation saying the COC "contains material defects." He said the votes for candidates Soriano and Arenas as appearing in 28 ERs "were not truly reflected in the COC."
"These, if considered, would greatly affect or change the result of this COC. We will substantiate our claim or objection within the period required by law," said Conrado.
But Aurora Valle, lawyer of Arenas, countered that the Soriano camp should have raised their claims before the municipal board of canvassers.
The provincial board of canvassers ruled that the issues raised by the Soriano camp are on the preparation and translation of the ERs which the board under Section 15 of Republic Act (RA) 7166 has no jurisdiction.
Balarbar said the Soriano camp can elevate their case to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.
Arenas is the daughter of socialite and philanthropist Rosemarie "Baby" Arenas.
"I want to thank everybody, my supporters and those who voted for me. My victory is our victory. I extend my friendship to all the candidates.
It's time for us to unite for the good of the district, of the province and of the country," said the younger Arenas.
Meanwhile, Governor Agbayani won as congressman in Pangasinan's second district.
In the vice gubernatorial race, Espino's running mate Marlyn Primicias-Agabas also won.
Aside from Arenas and Governor Agbayani, elected as Pangasinan congressmen are reelectionist Arthur Celeste of first district, Jose de Venecia Jr. of fourth district, Mark Cojuangco of fifth district and Conrado Estrella III of sixth district.
Elected as board members are Danilo Dizon and Alicia Pulido of first district, Von Mark Mendoza and Nestor Reyes of second district, Romeo
Dadacay and Angel Baniqued of third district, Jeremy Agerico Rosario and Liberato Villegas of fourth district, Charissma Salud Carancho and
Danilo Uy of fifth district and Tyrone Agabas and Alfonso Bince Jr. of sixth district. (LCMY/Sunnex)
