50 Pangasinan politicians join LP

DAGUPAN CITY , Philippines  – Some 50 Pangasinan leaders, led by former vice governor Oscar Lambino, have defected to the Liberal Party (LP) and took their oath yesterday at the party’s headquarters in Quezon City.

Lambino told The STAR they were sworn in by Sen. Mar Roxas and former Sen. Franklin Drilon, LP president and chairman, respectively, and the party’s standard-bearer in the 2010 presidential race, Sen. Benigno Aquino III.

Aside from Lambino, those who took their oath were second district Rep. Victor Agbayani, Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, Bani Mayor Marcelo Navarro Jr., Aguilar Vice Mayor Roldan Sagles and Calasiao Vice Mayor Ferdinand Galang.

Agbayani and Lambino were both Lakas-CMD co-chairmen in Pangasinan, while Braganza, a nephew of former President Fidel Ramos, and Sagles were also former Lakas members. Navarro belonged to Kampi, while Galang won as an independent candidate.

Agbayani and Lambino will run for governor and vice governor, respectively, in next year’s polls.

Agbayani served as governor for nine years together with Lambino, who was also elected for three terms as vice governor.

“I’m sad because I had to leave Lakas which I served for 17 long years, but at the same time I’m happy because I have now the opportunity to serve a higher interest (for) the country and the people,” he said.

He said though that he is not resigning as member of Biskeg na Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan), the only local political party in Pangasinan accredited by the Commission on Elections. Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr. heads the party.

Lambino said he informed the Lakas-Kampi headquarters about his decision to quit the party before he took his oath with the LP yesterday.

When the Lakas-Kampi merger happened, he said he felt he had no more place in the party as he was planning a political comeback.

“So I think it’s time to move on,” he said. – With Aurea Calica