FVR supports Lambino for P’sinan governor

DAGUPAN CITY – Former President Fidel Ramos, chairman emeritus of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), is throwing his support to Vice Governor Oscar Lambino for governor of Pangasinan in the coming elections.

This was revealed by Ed Malay in an interview the other day over dwPR Power Radyo here.

Asked by The STAR in a text message if he was authorized to speak in behalf of Ramos, Malay said he is the public relations and media adviser of the former president.

What I’m saying is what was contained in the letter sent by former President Fidel Ramos to President Arroyo dated Feb. 10, 2007," he said.

Malay added that he talked to Ramos last Thursday to discuss the gubernatorial bet of Lakas-CMD in Pangasinan.

Malay said Lambino possesses the criteria set by the party in the choice for gubernatorial candidate such as "equity of the original and equity of the loyal to the party."

While Gov. Victor Agbayani’s loyalty to the party is also recognized, the equity of the incumbent rule does not apply to his wife, Dr. Jamie Eloise Agbayani, whom the governor wants to succeed him, Malay said.

Mrs. Agbayani has officially announced last week her intent to join the gubernatorial race in the May polls. Malay explained that Agbayani could not pass on to his wife whatever loyalty he has given to the Lakas party.

Malay said Ramos has endorsed Lambino for governor and Mrs. Agbayano for vice governor to Mrs. Arroyo, who is the current Lakas-CMD chairman. He admitted though that there is an arbitration committee in charge of selecting the party’s official candidate.