More political dynasties in the making in provinces

The greatest inheritance a parent could give progeny is education. Then, there’s the political throne.

In some parts of Pangasinan, children of politicians are being groomed to find their place in politics, as they run side by side for election in May.

Married couples are also in the thick of the fight, seeking different elective positions at the same time.

In Dagupan City, incumbent Mayor Benjamin Lim (UNO-PDO-Laban) is vying for a congressional seat while his son, Brian, is running for mayor.

Outgoing San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello (Lakas-Biskeg na Pangasinan) is switching positions with his son, incumbent Vice Mayor Julier Resuello, as the elder Resuello is sliding to a vice mayoral bid while his son is eyeing his post.

Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. (NPC) is seeking his third term while his son Amadeo Gregorio "Boboom" Perez IV is aspiring for councilor.

Also, graduating fifth district Board Member Emmanuel Carancho is seeking to takeover the position of his daughter, Urdaneta Vice Mayor Charizzma Salud Carancho, while she seeks to inherit her father’s seat as board member.

League of Municipalities of the Philippines president, re-electionist Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr. (Lakas) and his son, vice mayoralty candidate Ramon III, a neophyte in politics, are both running unopposed.

Second district Rep. Amado Espino Jr. (Kampi) is running for governor while his son, incumbent Mayor Amado Espino III (NPC) of Bautista town is seeking re-election, also unopposed.

In the capital town of Lingayen, Mayor Ernesto Castañeda Jr. (Kampi-Biskeg) is running unopposed while his daughter Sheila Castañeda-Gonzales is seeking to become a councilor.

Calasiao Mayor Roy Macanlalay (Lakas-Biskeg) is going for re-election with son, Mark Roy, as councilor.

Mothers also encourage their sons to enter politics, like in the case of incumbent Natividad Mayor Alejandrea Supnet (NPC) seeking re-election with son Larry for councilor.

In Pozorrubio town, Emma Chan (Lakas), wife of outgoing Mayor Artemio Chan, is running for mayor in the hope of succeeding her husband while their son, Kelvin, is up for councilor.

Couples unite

In Binalonan town, couple Danilo Uy (Lakas) is running for board member of the fifth district while his wife, graduating Vice Mayor Myrna Bell Uy, is sliding down to councilor and their son, Dennis is seeking re-election as councilor of Pozorrubio town.

Meanwhile, graduating Gov. Victor Agbayani is running for second district congressman under Lakas while his wife, Dr. Jamie Agbayani is running as independent candidate for governor.

Also, graduating Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera Jr. (NPC) is running for congressman of the third district while his wife, Melita de Vera, is running for vice mayor as an independent.

Graduating sixth district Board Member Marlyn Agabas is running for vice governor under NPC while her husband, neophyte politician Tyrone Agabas, is aspiring to inherit his wife’s position as board member.

Re-electionist fifth district Rep. Mark Cojuangco and wife, Carmen, for mayor of Sison town, are both running unopposed under NPC.

Also, both Anda Mayor Nestor Pulido (NPC) and his wife, first district Board Member Alicia Pulido, are seeking re-election.

Re-electionist Mayor Leticia Rosete of Agno (Lakas) has her husband Wilson running for councilor. The Rosetes have been ruling their town for many years already.

Father-son tandem

Meanwhile, it’s a father-son show in Quirino, a province in Cagayan Valley.

The Cuas’ political grip there continues as reelectionist Rep. Junie Cua (LP, Atienza wing) of the lone congressional district has fielded his son, Vice Gov. Dakila "Dax" Cua, for the governorship to be vacated by three-term Gov. Pedro Bacani.

Bacani, earlier touted to challenge Cua for the congressional post, has withdrawn from the race. President Arroyo was said to have interceded and offered him to be her presidential adviser for Cagayan Valley, a post Cua held during the Estrada administration.

With Bacani out of the picture, the candidacies of the father and son tandem, whose local political machinery has been reinforced by the backing of the administration’s Team Unity, is seen as a walk in the park.

Rep. Cua’s rival, former governor Josie Co, may not be a pushover but her long absence from politics, coupled with her successive earlier defeats, may spell another term for the incumbent, veteran political observers in the province said.

Likewise, his son’s rival for the governorship, senior board member Elizer Balderas, a young lawyer, may enjoy equal popularity but his apparent lack of financial resources could spell the difference for the younger Cua, whose mother, Maria Angela, had also been a congresswoman here.

"What with their vaunted local political machinery, coupled with the support of the administration, the Cuas could make it to the top two positions in the province," another political observer here predicted.

The Cuas’ domination in this province came after the downfall of Gov. Orlando Dulay, a Marcos ally, in the mid-80s. – With Charlie Lagasca