By DANNY O. SAGUN
LINGAYEN – The sangguniang panlalawigan is now practically pro-administration with Board Member Alfonso Bince renouncing his post as minority floor leader.

In an unexpected turnaround, Bince last Monday heaped praises on the administration of Gov. Amado T. Espino because of what he described as the governor’s fine performance in barely a year.Bince, who only a few months back was a known critic of the Espino administration apparently due to partisan politics and differences in policies particularly on the plan to borrow money from the bank to fund some development projects, clarified however that he had not joined the majority but as independent. He said he would continue his role as fiscalizer if necessary.

In a radio interview, he said he would support the majority as well as the administration on programs or projects that benefit the people. “Duma met la a no aliway nagagawa,” he said, citing his role as fiscalizer in his 17 years as member of the provincial board.

The sixth district board member has been practically with the opposition in his entire political career. In the last local elections, he ran under the team led by former Pangasinan first lady Jamie Agbayani, who lost to Espino in a close contes

His team mates who won in the elections already jumped ship virtually leaving him alone in the opposition, it was observed. Third district Board Member Angel Baniqued, who was Bince’s partymate and a known supporter of the Agbayanis, was surprisingly named majority flood leader in an unexpected reshuffle some three months ago, replacing second district Board Member Von Mark Mendoza, an ally of Espino.

Following that reshuffle, Bince was also stripped of his committe chairmanship, blue ribbon, for the reason that only members of the majority should chair major or sensitive sanggunian committes.

The board member was fuming that time, suspecting that Urduja House had a hand in it.

His opposition to as well as strong criticisms on the plan to avail of the P950 million credit line with Land Bank did not sit well with the governor.

A virtual word war ensued between him and the executive branch.

His sudden turnaround elicited various speculations. Obviously, it was his surprise proposal to borrow money from Land Bank to fund rehabilitation work that changed the mood of Urduja House towards him.

He made the proposal, he later justified, because of the big damage left by typhoon Cosme and the meager support coming from the national government.

Bince lauded Espino for initiating reforms and improvements at Capitol – physical appearance of the various buildings and the grounds and delivery of services – comments that are far different from his statements before, it was observed.