No less than Agbayani, in his June 30 inaugural address at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here, acknowledged this, disclosing that he would talk to Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino about his political plans.
This confirmed talk among Pangasinenses that the next gubernatorial fight would indeed be hotly contested.
Lambino is also on his third and final term as vice governor. He is seen as the most likely "heir apparent" of Agbayani.
However, political observers believe that many will challenge Lambino if he decides to run for governor in 2007.
Asked if Agbayani had already talked to him, Lambino said the opportune time has not yet come.
Agbayani himself admitted that at least seven aspirants would likely emerge in 2007. "We will see when it comes," he said.
The governor said he does not see any of his siblings or family members as interested in running for governor.
"I have not spoken to Viktoria and Louie but I think they prefer to stay in private life," he said.
Viktoria, the youngest of the Agbayani siblings, ran — and lost — in the mayoralty race in Sual town.
Louie, the governor’s eldest brother, was a three-term mayor of Sual but lost in the congressional race in the May 10 polls.
According to political observers, four Pangasinan congressmen and two city mayors will possibly slug it out with Lambino in 2007.
But this early, some mayors said that if former Sto. Tomas mayor Antonio Villar Jr., founder of Biskeg na Panga-sinan (Strength of Pangasinan), a political alliance which supported President Arroyo in the recent elections, would decide to run for governor, the other aspirants might give way to him.
"(Villar) gave way to Gov. Agbayani (in the May 10 polls) for the sake of unity in Pangasinan. This is now the right and ripe time for him to run," a mayor said.
Even Lambino said he would give way to Villar, a cousin who he fondly calls "Manong" who has helped him in many of his political fights. — Eva Visperas