NPC Bets Sweep Elections in Pangasinan

Lingayen --- The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) slate led by re-electionist Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr. dominated the May 13 midterm elections in the province of Pangasinan.

NPC’s overwhelming victory was evidenced by the wide margin of votes got by NPC candidates from their supporters in the six congressional districts of the province, sweeping majority of elective posts.

The Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) led by Chairperson Atty. Marino Salas proclaimed Gov. Espino and Vice Gov. Calimlim as duly elected Governor and Vice Governor last May 15.

As of press time, Governor Espino (812, 363 votes), is pulling away with a vote difference of 529, 755 over his Liberal Party (LP) rival Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza’s 282, 608 votes.

On the other hand, Vice Gov. Calimlim widened his margin with votes of 606,565 over Ret. Col. Arturo Lomibao’s 259,149 votes.

A total of 70 percent of the total votes in the province was tabulated by the PBOC as of date.

 
NPC’s re-electionist Congressional Representatives Jesus “Boying” Celeste (1st district), Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd district) and Carmen “Kimi” Cojuangco (5th district) won convincing victories over their challengers. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas was unopposed in the sixth district.

The only Liberal Party congressional bet , RoseMarie “Baby” Arenas ran unopposed in the third district; Maria Georgina “Manay Gina” De Venecia won in the fourth district.

 Meanwhile, out of the 12 elective seats for the Provincial Board (2 board members in each congressional district), 9 NPC candidates, six of which were reelectionists, won in their districts.

Re-electionist NPC board members included: Napoleon Fontelera (1st district), Raul Sison (2nd district), Mojamito Libunao (4th district), unopposed Clemente Arboleda and Danilo Uy (5th district), and Atty. Alfonso Bince Jr. (6th district).

Rene Sison (1st district) and Nestor Reyes (2nd district) are comebacking board members.

Newly-elected  Angel Baniqued, Jr., replaced his father Angel Baniqued Sr. as a board member of the 3rd district of Pangasinan.

Out of the 44 towns and three component cities of the province, the NPC romped off with 30 mayors, 7 of whom ran unopposed.  These included:

First district: Jose Pajeta Jr. (Agno); Arthur F. Celeste (Alaminos City); Aldrin Cerdan (Anda); Gwen Yamamoto (Bani); Arnold Celeste (Bolinao); Alberto Guiang Jr. (Burgos); Noel Nacar (Dasol); Carlitos Reyes (Mabini) and Roberto Arcinue (Sual).

Second District: Eduardo Ballesteros (Aguilar); Jumel Espino (Bugallon) and Ricardo Camacho (Labrador).

Third District: Ricardo Camacho (Bayambang - unopposed); Mark Roy Macanlalay (Calasiao); Arman Domantay (Malasiqui); Maximo Calimlim Jr. (Mapandan) and Julier Resuello (San Carlos City).

Fourth District: Robert De Vera (San Jacinto – unopposed).

Fifth District: Pao Mencias (Alcala); Amadeo Espino (Bautista); Silverio Alarcio Jr. (Laoac - unopposed); Artemio Chan (Pozorrubio); Mina Joy Pangasinan (Sison - unopposed); Dick Villar (Sto. Tomas - unopposed); Amadeo Perez (Urdaneta City - unopposed) and Libradita Abrenica (Villasis) won the mayoralty race.

Sixth District: Susan Pagador (Rosales); Alain Jerico Perez (San Manuel); Rebecca Saldivar (San Nicolas); Teodoro Ramos (Sta. Maria) and Eldred Tumbocon (Umingan - unopposed).