HUGPONG ENDORSES ESPINOS

Despite having a pre-organized political rally in Binalonan City, the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) held its campaign sortie in Urdaneta City to officially endorse the candidacy of reelectionists Pangasinan Governor Amado “Pogi” Espino III, Congressman Amado Espino II and their team.

HNP, headed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, brushed off the scheduled campaign rally in Binalonan organized by its Mayor Ramon Guico III. Guico, who is allegedly involved in illegal drugs, is running for congressman in Pangasinan 5th district against the Espino patriarch.

Guico is an ally of Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste who is running for the gubernatorial race against the younger Espino and Bolinao Mayor Arnold Celeste who is gunning for the congressional seat in Pangasinan’s 1st district against former Department of Transportation Undersecretary Tim Orbos.

Based on the information of local political group Abante Pangasinan, HNP snubbed the Celestes because “they are implicated in the drug trade.” The presidential daughter was quoted as saying that she doesn’t want the HNP to be involved in narco-politics. Included in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) narco-list submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte is the elder Celeste, incumbent Pangasinan 1st District Representative Jesus Celeste.

Abante Pangasinan said in its Facebook post that the HNP is investigating Mayor Art Celeste’s unauthorized use of the party’s letterhead.

In attendance during the political rally in Urdaneta City were reelectionists Senators Sonny Angara and JV Ejercito, former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, ex-Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Francis Tolentino, and other HNP senatoriables.