At least 10 former police officials eyeing elective posts in May

At least 10 former police officials, including retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Arturo Lomibao, are reportedly planning to throw their hat in the political ring come May.

If Lomibao pushes through his plans, he might find himself challenging Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino, his "mistah" at the Philippine Military Academy Class 1972 who is also running for governor of Pangasinan.

Espino is currently serving his second term as Pangasinan lawmaker.

Apart from Lomibao, now chief of the National Irrigation Administration who has also expressed his desire to try his luck at the Senate, controversial former police general Restituto Mosqueda is reportedly running for mayor of Estancia in Iloilo.

Mosqueda made the headlines during the Senate inquiry on jueteng controversy after clearing First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo over accusations of maintaining ill-gotten wealth in bank accounts under the name Jose Pidal.

Mosqueda, who was then serving as PNP Crime Laboratory chief, claimed the signatures of the First Gentleman were different from those who signed as Jose Pidal. Mr. Arroyo’s younger brother Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo later claimed to be the Jose Pidal who signed the checks.

Aside from Lomibao and Mosqueda, eight other former police officials have declared their political plans.

Among them are former PNP deputy chief of the Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes Nestor Sanares, former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Eduardo Matillano, and former PNP Narcotics Command chief Reynor Gonzales.

Former chief of the Central Luzon Regional Police Rowland Albano, former chief of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management Lucas Managuelod, former PNP Deputy chief for administration Reynaldo Velasco, former chief of the Southern Tagalog Regional Police Prospero Noble, and former chief of the PNP Police Security Police Officer Reynaldo Padojinog, also expressed desire to run in the midterm elections in May.

Sanares is gunning for the gubernatorial post of Batangas, possibly against Gov. Arman Sanches, Vice Gov. Ricky Recto and actress-turned-politician — Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos.

Matillano is reportedly planning to challenge Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn in the mayoralty post while Gonzales is seeking to be mayor of Lambunao town in Iloilo.

Velasco, who has built numerous PNP stations in Pangasinan while in the service, is gunning for a congressional post in Pangasinan’s 3rd district.

Albano, who was relieved from Central Luzon at the height of jueteng controversy, is eyeing the mayoralty post of Laoag City while Noble is reportedly seeking a congressional post for Zamboanga del Norte.

Managuelod is eyeing the congressional post of Isabela’s 1st District and Padojinog will run for mayor of Duenas, Iloilo.