NPC building forces around Danding son for 2016 polls
ROSALES, Pangasinan—The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has consolidated its forces in Pangasinan province behind the son of the party’s founding chair, businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr.
But party officials would not comment on whether the NPC is ready to field a candidate for the 2016 presidential elections.
Political leaders in two of Pangasinan’s six congressional districts have endorsed the gubernatorial bid of former Rep. Mark Cojuangco, said Rosendo So, NPC Pangasinan spokesperson.
“Let’s just say this [support for the younger Cojuangco’s bid] is the first step to solidifying the NPC’s national campaign. It would be up to the national leadership to eventually decide if the party would [field] a candidate for president or support another party’s bet,” So said.
On Aug. 8, two representatives and 10 mayors from the province’s sixth district declared their support for Mark Cojuangco, who is expected to run against Board Member Amado Espino III, son of incumbent Gov. Amado Espino Jr.
The young Espino heads the federation of barangay (village) councils in the province. The Espinos earlier resigned from the NPC.
Aug. 8 declaration
The Aug. 8 declaration of support came after a similar endorsement for Mark Cojuangco that was made by political leaders of the first congressional district during a meeting at the NPC headquarters in Quezon City.
Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (sixth district) joined the Aug. 8 assembly hosted by Abono Rep. Conrad Estrella III in this town.
The assembly was intended to be a consultative meeting with Cojuangco and had included Mayors Heidee Chua (Asingan), Tyrone Agabas (Tayug), Susan Pagador-Casareno (Rosales), Rodrigo Rafael (Natividad), Philipp Peralta (Balungao), Teodoro Ramos (Sta. Maria), Jericho Perez (San Manuel), Clark Tiu (San Quintin), Rebecca Saldivar (San Nicolas) and Elfred Tumbocon (Umingan).
The decision to endorse and support Cojuangco’s bid was made by all leaders in the sixth district, Estrella said.
“We all know that Governor Espino is already on his last term. During the past three elections, we supported him and we have no regrets of doing so. We still love him despite his decision to bolt the NPC, which gave him shelter during his [gubernatorial fights],” Estrella said.
In a statement, Estrella said there should be no burning of bridges between Espino and Cojuangco.
The NPC, he said, could always help the elder Espino be appointed in the next administration.
Good asset
With NPC backing, Estrella said, the elder Espino “will be a good asset in the next administration.”
“What is important is the party’s unity and the progress and development of the province,” he said.
Espino and his two sons bolted NPC as it became apparent that Mark is most likely to get the party’s support for his bid.
In February, Mark, NPC provincial chair, announced he was running for governor and has since been going around the province, attending social gatherings and meeting with local government officials. Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon
