ASINGAN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Former president Fidel Ramos has endorsed the gubernatorial bid of his nephew, Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, of the Liberal Party during the family’s reunion Sunday.
“If Nani Braganza will be elected governor of Pangasinan, I am sure that foreign and domestic investors will take a second look at our province and pour in the much-needed investments to jumpstart the local economy,†Ramos said.
The former president made the declaration of support to Braganza during a reunion of more than 1,000 members of the Braganza, Agsalud and Ramos clans held at the MBJ Countryside Resort in Barangay Baro.
Ramos told his relatives that even before he attended the reunion, he toured the entire eastern Pangasinan to solicit the people’s support for Braganza.
He said Braganza’s experience as a public servant would help boost Pangasinan as a premier province not only in the Northern Philippines but in the entire country as well.
The former president said Braganza’s experience in transforming Alaminos City into a world-class urban center would help Pangasinan obtain an “A-rating†in economy, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFW), education and investment.
“With Nani as governor, I am sure that will translate to a high A-rating for Pangasinan,†Ramos said.
Braganza thanked his uncle and said running for governor in Pangasinan was a big challenge to him even as he vowed to exert effort to rid the province of graft and corruption.
The gubernatorial candidate told The STAR that his uncle’s endorsement is a big boost to his candidacy.