Sun.Star: Espino, JDV, Resuello lead Pangasinan tallies

Sun.Star Pangasinan: BAUTISTA -- Pangasinan second district Representative Amado Espino Jr. leads the gubernatorial race, according to the partial tally of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, Espino topped the race with 230,852 votes followed by Jamie Eloise Agbayani, wife of Pangasinan Governor Victor Agbayani, with 175,538. Votes from the province's second district gave Espino the big lead over Jamie. He also leads in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth districts while Jamie only leads at the first district. On the other hand, Pangasinan vice gubernatorial candidate Marlyn Primicias-Agabas is also enjoying a huge margin over her rival Dionisio Villar Jr. Meanwhile, House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. leads Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim in the congressional race in Pangasinan's fourth district. De Venecia's allies, former immigration commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. and Belen Fernandez, candidates for Dagupan mayor and vice mayor, respectively, have beaten their opponents Marc Brian Lim and Vladimir Mata. On Tuesday morning, Espino dropped by the residence of de Venecia in Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City to congratulate the House Speaker. "He (de Venecia) asked me to help him unite Pangasinan and reach out to the people and that's a very good idea. I promised him I will. He also said he will help me with all my plans for the province if I win," he added. Espino is confident de Venecia will retain the House speakership. In San Carlos City, partial canvass favors Mayor Julier Resuello and his brother Joseres, sons of slain Mayor Julian Resuello, in the mayoralty and vice mayoralty race. Their nine candidates for councilor are also doing good. Meanwhile, Julier said their father will be laid to rest on May 20. He said Julian's body will be brought to the city plaza covered gym on May 19 to give their constituents the chance to pay their last respects to the late mayor. Julian, who served the people of San Carlos for three consecutive terms, was shot dead on April 28. In Rosales, former police officer and Mayor Ricardo Revita, who is seeking reelection, leads the mayoralty race. Some candidates who topped pre-election surveys did not make it in the elections. Among them were Pangasinan Board Member Emmanuel Carancho who was beaten by his relative Julio Parayno in the vice mayoralty race in Urdaneta City and Malasiqui Liga ng mga Barangay (LB) president Alfe Soriano who lost to former vice mayor Armando Domantay in the Malasiqui mayoralty contest.