BINMALEY, Pangasinan—With more candidates signifying interest to join the gubernatorial race in 2007 , the fight becomes more exciting.

As the incumbent governor is due to finish his three successive terms, second district Rep. Amado Espino Jr said he has been preparing for the 2007 gubernatorial elections in Pangasinan making it possibly a six-cornered fight.

Espino, now on his second term, said it’s his option to run for governor in this vote-rich province, possibly wrestling it out with Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, Governor Victor Agbayani’s wife Jamie Eloise, retired Philippine National Police Chief Arturo Lomibao, sixth district Rep. Conrado Estrella III and Undersecretary for Local Governance Antonio Villar Jr.

However, Villar, despite being pushed by influential officials and rich people to support him in case he runs, is still quiet about the fight.

Next year’s gubernatorial fight is seen as the most exciting with the exit of Agbayani as this will be a “free-for-all” electoral race.

But Espino, former regional director of the Philippine National Police in region 1, said he believes that Lomibao, his classmate in the Philippine Military Academy, whom he described as his partner ever since and kumpadre, will not clash against him.

“One has to give way and we will be supporting each other,” Espino, KAMPI’s regional and provincial chairman, said.

He added that Estrella talked to him few days ago , saying that he is no longer interested to run for governor and will instead support him. Estrella is only in his second term as congressman in his district.