Binay takes campaign to vote-rich Pangasinan

Presidential aspirant Jejomar Binay is welcomed in Pangasinan by Governor Amado Espino Jr., an ally of his rival Mar Roxas. MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Vice President Jejomar Binay arrived in this province’s capital on Wednesday as he continued his national campaign for the May presidential elections.

Binay was initially scheduled to arrive 8:30 a.m. but his chopper landed at the Lingayen airport a little past 10 a.m.

Binay on Tuesday went to Cebu for a party meeting before heading to the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Leadership Forum in Binondo at night.

READ: Binay, Cayetano woo Cebu voters

Binay was welcomed by Pangasinan governor Amado Espino Jr., whose local party is affiliated with the Liberal Party.

Espino endorsed LP standard-bearer Binay’s rival, Mar Roxas, for president.

Espino is also fielding his son Amado “Pogi” Espino III to run as governor against former Pangasinan congressman Mark Cojuangco, who openly endorsed Binay for president.

Meanwhile, the elder Espino would run for the congressional seat against Cojuangco’s wife, incumbent Rep. Kimi Cojuangco.

Espino walked behind Binay when the latter headed to his motorcade vehicle.

Binay was welcomed by boy scouts and his brothers in the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity.

Binay is set to tour Lingayen and the nearby Binmaley town before he heads to the Pangasinan capitol.

Binay will also attend the 60th annual council meeting of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen around 2 p.m.

Pangasinan is the third-most vote-rich province in the country with 1.705 million registered voters, behind Cebu and Cavite. IDL

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