Magsaysays back Ebdane’s gubernatorial bid in Zambales

The Magsaysay clan in Zambales announced its support for the gubernatorial bid of former public works secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. after a family member withdrew her candidacy for the same position. This was announced by former Zambales governor Vicente Magsaysay whose daughter Mary Rose ‘Lumag’ abandoned the race. The elder Magsaysay brokered the “merger" between the Magsaysay family and Ebdane since he believed in the latter’s capabilities, the former governor said during a press briefing on Sunday night. ‘Ito ang daan ng Zambales sa kinabukasan (This is the path towards Zambales’ future),’ Vicente Magsaysay said, referring to Ebdane's achievements in building infrastructure around the country as public works secretary. The realignment pits Ebdane against re-electionist Gov. Amor Deloso of the Liberal Party. Two other candidates, Myrna Flordelisa Español of the Alpha Omega 9K Party, and Hilary Dantes Pangan of Ang Kapatiran Party, are also running for the same position. The Magsaysay’s support is a “crucial factor" for his candidacy, Ebdane said. “In any contest, you go for the overkill to ensure victory," he added. Ebdane welcomed the endorsement saying that the Magsaysays know how he worked for his people. “I have been serving since I saw light… and I’ve been in the field," he added, laughing off Deloso’s claim that he needed more exposure in the province. Zambales 1st District Rep. Mitos Magsaysay who represented the Magsaysays during the press briefing said that Gov. Deloso might be "unprepared to meet Ebdane as an opponent." Deloso refused to comment on the move of the Magsaysays. Eight of the 13 municipal mayors, who have allied with the Magsaysays, also pledged their support to Ebdane during the meeting by signing a resolution endorsing the former public works secretary as their Zambales gubernatorial candidate. The eight local executives are Jose Rodriguez of San Marcelino town, Romeo Lonzanida of San Antonio, Peter Lim of San Narciso, Edilberto Abille of San Felipe, Roger Yap of Botolan, Jessu Edora of Masinloc, Jean Moraña of Candelaria, and Luisito Marty of Sta. Cruz. The eight mayors also signed separate resolutions appreciating Rose Magsaysay’s “sacrifice" in withdrawing from the race for Ebdane. They also endorsed Mitos Magsaysay in her bid for another term in Congress as well as Gov. Vicente Magsaysay’s mayoralty bid in Olongapo City. The mayors, like the Magsaysays, belong to the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, while Ebdane is affiliated with the Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka, which has fielded several local aspirants for mayoralty positions. “There were sacrifices, of course," Mayor Moraña said, referring to some aspirants who were bumped off in the process of forming the Ebdane-Magsaysay coalition. “But it was for the sake of unity and progress in Zambales," she added. - John Bayarong/LBG, RJAB, Jr., GMANews.TV