GMA leads FPJ in Pangasinan

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took an early lead in this vote-rich province over her closest rival Fernando Poe, Jr. of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) in the quick count being conducted by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible voting (PPCRV) based in Dagupan CIty.

Based on election returns collated as of 9 a.m. today (May 13) from at least 15 municipalities and the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos, President Arroyo took the lead with 214,206 votes, while Poe came in second with 176,655 votes.

Evangelist and Bangon Pilipinas Movement standard bearer Eddie Villanueva came in a distant third with 20,880 votes, while independent presidential bet Sen. Panfilo Lacson trailed way behind with 16,864 votes. Former education Secretary Raul Roco was the tailender with 12,855 votes.

In the race for vice presidency, Mrs. Arroyo's running mate Sen. Noli de Castro was leading with 214,541 votes as against 159,855 votes garnered by Sen. Loren Legarda of the KNP.

The PPCRV here which is under the supervision of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archiocese, so far collated election returns from the towns of Binmaley, Lingayen, Basista, Urbiztondo, Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Mapandan, Malasiqui, Bayambang, San Fabian, Mangaldan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Laoac, Bautista and the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos.

President Arroyo took a commanding lead in Dagupan City while San Carlos City went for Poe whose father hails from the city.

Former Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas of K-4 continues to rule the roost in the senetorial race with 293,959 votes, followed by Bong Revilla (K-4), 269,879; Lito Lapid (K-4), 224,113; Richard Gordon (K-4), 212,120; Pia Cayetano (K-4), 209,682; Jamby Madrigal (KNP) 198,587; Rodolfo Biazon (K-4), 182,726; Aquilino Pimentel (KNP), 175,992; Alfredo Lim (KNP), 156,713; Robert Barbers (K-4), 154,623; Miriam Defensor-Santiago (K-4), 142,761;Ernesto Maceda (KNP), 139,892.

Trailing in the 13 to 15 slots were John Osemeña (K-4), 135,195; Juan Ponce-Enrile (KNP), 133,961; and Orly Mercado (K-4), 133,249 votes.

Speaker Jose De Venecia, Jr. expressed confidence that President Arroyo will win in Pangasinan by five to ten percent because of the support of majority of the provincial officials and mayors led by Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico, Jr., National President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

De Venecia added that many religious groups, civic and professional organizations supported the President "because of her experience, intellectual capability, quality leadership, strong governance, and proven track record."

Aside from these qualifications, he said, President Arroyo has captured the hearts of her provincesmates because unlike Poe she speaks the Pangasinan dialect fluently.

Gov. Victor E. Agbayani, on the other hand, pointed out that the President has endeared herself among the Pangasinenses owing to the numerous projects and assistance she has given to Pangasinan when she was serving as senator, DSWD secretary, Vice President and later as President.

Pangasinan is one of the country's biggest provinces in terms of voting population with a total of 1,329,401 registered voters.

Both President Arroyo and Poe claimed the province to be their bailiwick. Mrs. Arroyo's mother, Eva Macaraeg, hails from Binalonan town and Poe's father is from San Carlos City.

But while the movie action star visited Pangasinan only twice during the campaign period, Mrs. Arroyo held numerous campaign sorties in the province which boosted her bid for the presidency.

"She was a tireless campaigner and is expected to win in Pangasinan," Gov. Agbayani told reporters here.