BAYAMBANG – It looks like there’s no stopping sixth district Rep. Conrado Estrella III in his gubernatorial bid in the 2007 elections.

Over the weekend, Estrella met with barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials in the different barangays of this vote-rich town.

“Congressman Estrella is here because he finds his district already small and he wants to extend his services even outside his district,” said Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera in introducing Estrella during a simple program in Barangay Wawa here.

Estrella said he is scheduled to visit some towns in western Pangasinan this weekend.

Estrella, 45, is now in his second term as congressman of the province’s sixth district, which consists of Rosales, Sta. Maria, Tayug, San Nicolas, Natividad, San Manuel, Asingan, Balungao, Umingan and San Quintin.

The grandson of former Agrarian Reform Minister Conrado Estrella Sr., who himself was Pangasinan governor, the young Estrella also served as provincial federation president of the defunct Kabataang Barangay. He was first elected congressman during the time of President Corazon Aquino in 1987 and was reelected in 1992, when President Fidel Ramos was President.

Asked if his going around the province is an indication of his gubernatorial plans, Estrella said: “Oh, I’ve been going all over Pangasinan ever since I was KB president. Then, when was administrator of the National Electrification Administration, I’ve also been going around the province.”

Estrella, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, was appointed NEA administrator by then President Joseph Estrada.

In his meetings with SK and barangay officials here, Estrella extended financial assistance to the different teams participating in the town’s inter-barangay basketball tournament.

“Let us all be good examples to the children who will watch you. Let us not misbehave during a game so that we will not be sending the wrong signals to the old and young people watching your games,” Estrella told SK members.

According to reports, three other prominent figures in the province are aiming for the gubernatorial post. These are incumbent Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, second district Rep. Amado Espino, and Gov. Victor Agbayani’s wife, Jamie Eloise.