3 key Luzon provinces shun Aquino bets

BAGUIO CITY—The Liberal Party’s (LP) gubernatorial candidates in Pampanga and Pangasinan lost in Monday’s polls, giving the administration a resounding defeat in these areas where issues of corruption and illegal gambling were highlighted during the campaign.

The LP candidates whom President Benigno Aquino III endorsed in Tarlac also lost.

In Pampanga, former priest and governor Eddie Panlilio of LP lost to reelectionist Gov. Lilia Pineda of Kambilan. Partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday showed Panlilio getting 107,447 votes against Pineda’s 430,083.

In the second congressional district race, detained former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appeared headed for another win as unofficial results showed her leading her closest opponent, LP’s Vivian Dabu, by a wide margin.

Arroyo received 129,178 votes (88.38 percent). Dabu had 14,224 votes (19.71 percent).

In the gubernatorial race in Pangasinan, LP leaders said the party did its best to push Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza against reelectionist Gov. Amado Espino Jr., “but our best was not enough.”

“We are sad that our candidates lost, but we are happy that we are able to contribute to the victory of Team PNoy’s senatorial candidates,” said former Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, LP Pangasinan spokesperson.

The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Espino’s party, dominated local races, virtually sweeping the provincial and congressional races.

Based on partial unofficial results from the Comelec, Espino and reelectionist Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim kept a wide margin over their opponents, Braganza and former Philippine National Police chief Arturo Lomibao.

Espino got 507,526 votes while Braganza had 180,960 votes.

In the congressional races, all five NPC candidates were reelected—Representatives Jesus Celeste (first district), Leopoldo Bataoil (second district), Gina de Venecia (fourth district), Kimi Cojuangco (fifth district) and Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (sixth district). Socialite Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, who ran under LP in the third district, is unopposed.

In the mayoral races, 28 of 43 NPC candidates are sure of being declared winners.

In Tarlac, the charisma of President Aquino did not seem to work as all local LP candidates, whom he endorsed when he visited Victoria town recently to campaign for them and his senatorial bets, lost.

In Tarlac City, incumbent Mayor Gelacio Manalang of Lakas won over LP candidate Genaro Mendoza.

In Victoria, incumbent Mayor Candido Guiam IV won by a slight margin over LP bet Rex Villa Agustin.

Aquino went to Victoria to endorse Villa Agustin and even chided Guiam.

In Concepcion town, LP mayoral candidate Jay Castro also lost to Nacionalista Party’s Andy Lacson. Aquino’s uncle, Hermie Aquino, lost in his bid to represent the third district. Tonette Orejas and Jo Martinez-Clemente, Inquirer Central Luzon; and Gabriel Cardinoza and Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon