THE political atmosphere in the third district of this great province can be likened to that of Mayon Volcano, simmering, boiling but unpredictable as to when it will erupt and spew pyroclastic materials.
As everyone already knows, the contenders are Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera Jr. (one of the founding pillars of Biskeg na Pangasinan) who from Day One of his last term as mayor had signified his intention to run for congressman;

Rachel ‘Baby’ Arenas, daughter of philanthropist Rosemarie ‘Baby’ Arenas; Kaaron Gener Jr., the beloved son and namesake of Cong. Generoso Tulagan, and yes, the silent and profound Board Member Angel Baniqued.

For governor, as they say, there is no other way for Vice Gov. Oscar B. Lambino but to go up. Other probable contenders are Congressmen Conrad M. Estrella, Amado T. Espino and Tulagan, Dr. Jamie Agbayani and believe us, retired Gen. Arturo C. Lomibao.

So far, the names being heard for vice governor are that of Board Members Saffe Villar and Manoy Carancho, and Sto. Tomas Mayor Vivien Villar.

House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. is optimistic there will be elections next year for members of the parliament and for the local positions.

One thing sure, Board Member Danny Uy, Pangasinan Councilors League president, will run as regular board member in the fifth district of Pangasinan, while Panelco III director Nestor Revita will try his luck and run as board member in the sixth.

Councilor RV Villegas of San Fabian, on the other hand, will run as mayor of said town against incumbent Mojamito Libunao or any other comer..

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Our kabaleyan from San Nicolas town, Gen. Joel Goltiao (former Police Community Relations Group director), has been designated regional director of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Will Gen. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, former PNP spokesperson, be the successor of Gen. Alfredo B. de Vera Jr. as Region I police director? De Vera is retiring this September.

Heard it once before that Gen. Bataoil will be it for the PNP Ilocos assignment. But in the military, no one can only safely say he is the designated one until the very last minute, that is, when the turn-over of command is over.

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Citizen Art Lomibao quietly launched last week in San Carlos City and Mangaldan “Project Compassion,” a community service project of his club, the Rotary Club of Metro Cubao.

“Project Compassion” is basically a “Free Overseas Tawag Center” where anybody can make a call abroad free of charge. Of course, priority will be residents of the locality where the call centers are set up. I can just imagine the long line at the centers when news will spread out about it.

The gadget being attached to the communication system (sorry, can’t explain it really as don’t understand it how it works myself was invented by someone from Baguio City.

They said there is not legal impediment to the process, no problem with the two giant telephone companies and even with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Let’s hope for the best. Hope too that those who can afford to pay overseas calls give way to the target beneficiaries, those who are hoping and praying to talk to their relatives working or leaving abroad but cannot afford to make a call.

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Personal: Belated happy birthday to Mayor de Vera and Susan Yadao who both celebrated their natal day last August 11.