BY YOLLY Z. SOTELO

A WALTZ along the road canopied by giant acacia trees and watched by thousands of residents marked the entry of another Cojuangco into the Pangasinan political arena.

Kimi Cojuango, wife of Rep. Mark Cojuango, announced her foray into the mayoralty race of this town, where the Cojuangco-owned Northern Cement Corporation is located, during her birthday on Monday.

She danced the waltz with Mayor Dionisio Lagmay who “gave way” to her “without any consideration” after she delivered her speech saying she wanted to lead the town, which at present only has “cement and beer houses,” to progress.

Describing herself as “not a politician,” Cojuangco said that Sison will go places and “I will be the one to take you there.” .

“I know what the town needs. One is livelihood and I want to stir the town and improve the basic services and the town’s infrastructure,” she told the Inquirer.

She said the attendance of Lagmay during her birthday party and the proclamation of her candidacy “was a good sign” but that if he had not given way, she would fight him.

“I prayed hard last night because I want to start (my mayoralty stint) clean, with nobody having ill feelings, so we can move forward. This is not about me or him. This is about Sison,” she added.

A visibly sad Lagmay said in his speech that he would have done more as mayor if “I have a congressman” for a spouse. “Unlike other towns which concentrated development in the town’s center, we developed the villages so all barangay roads are either cemented or asphalted,” he said.

Despite this, he said he was giving way to Mrs. Cojuangco “for the betterment of the town.”

“Don’t be sad. Let’s be realistic,” he told the town residents who flocked to the NCC compound to attend Kimi’s birthday party and announcement of her candidacy. “The power is in their hands to improve the town

He added, “I am volunteering to withdraw from the mayoralty race and I know that there are better things to come. I am leaving you in good hands. And please do not think that there is any consideration for my withdrawal.”

Rep. Cojuangco praised Lagmay for his decision and for his “selflessness” in giving way to his wife.

He said that during his last three years in Congress, he will focus his service to Sison which he called his “hometown.”

He said he wanted to do a lot of things for Sison and the one who can help him is his wife and the mother of his children and who has a “pure heart.”
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