Pangasinan fifth district Rep. Ramon Guico III has announced his intention to run for the gubernatorial post in the province in the elections next year.

Guico will be running alongside Pangasinan incumbent Vice Governor Mark Lambino as they launched the group’s Alyansang Guico-Lambino (AGuiLa) political party.

In an interview on Wednesday, Guico said serious planning and a master plan will benefit Pangasinenses more as the province is already “very rich” in resources.

He initially cited the need to create economic zones all over the province to attract investors, create jobs and for mobility and accessibility; and the possibility of construction of East-West Expressway to lessen travel time from Bolinao town that is at the farthest end of the first district of the province to Umingan town at the sixth district, which normally takes about four hours travel.

Guico will challenge incumbent Governor Amado Espino III in the gubernatorial race.  It is not certain yet who Espino’s running mate is.

With Guico and Lambino in the launching of the AGuiLa were former Representatives Arthur Celeste (first district) and Mark Cojuangco (fifth district), Abono Party-list Representative Conrado Estrella III, Bayambang Mayor Cesar Quiambao, and Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr.

It was attended by leaders and supporters from the third to the sixth districts of Pangasinan.

At the same event held last Saturday, the Ulopan na Aguila ed Pangasinan also launched the manifesto urging Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for President in next year’s presidential elections.

Lambino said they are batting for the continuity of the accomplishments and programs instituted by her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The people of Pangasinan recognize the exceptional capability of Mayor Sara Duterte to continue the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte particularly in the fight against corruption, criminality, drugs, terrorism, insurgency, poverty, and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic,” the manifesto read.