Braganza bares Pangasinan gubernatorial bid

BINMALEY, Pangasinan, Philippines – The political pot in Pangasinan has suddenly sizzled after Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, who has served as congressman and Cabinet secretary, announced his gubernatorial bid for the 2013 elections under the Liberal Party (LP) against re-electionist Gov. Amado Espino Jr. 

In a meeting among local LP leaders in a restaurant here Tuesday, the 48-year-old Braganza was joined by former governor Victor Agbayani. Braganza was a two-term congressman of Pangasinan’s first district, Agrarian Reform secretary, and later Press secretary. He is on his third and final term as Alaminos City mayor.

Agbayani, the LP’s provincial chairman, is rumored to be running as congressman in the second district.

There is no categorical confirmation yet on who would be Braganza’s running mate. But Agbayani said two tandems are being studied by LP leaders: Braganza-Agbayani or Agbayani-Ranjit Ramos Shahani.