He survived the Bataan Death March and later joined the guerrilla movement where he would lead the Pampanga Military District.

Seated as governor in 1948, Lingad served a single term, being defeated to Rafael Lazatin for re-election in 1951 due to the fall-out from the Maliwalu massacre in Bacolor.

[2][3] Had Lingad stayed on as governor though, he would have been appointed by President Elpidio Quirino to lead Department of National Defense due to his stellar accomplishments at the time.

And during the elections of 1949, Lingad nominated Diosdado Macapagal, who was then serving as second secretary of the Philippine embassy in Washington, D.C. to run for the first Congressional district of Pampanga.

[2] With the help and guidance of Lingad, Macapagal would start his political career that would make him president of the Philippines one day as they were childhood friends in the town of Lubao, Pampanga.

Previously perceived as holding right-wing political views, Lingad shifted to the left while in Congress, supporting farmers' rights and dialogue with the leftist insurgency.

Lingad was defeated by Estelito Mendoza, but he raised charges of fraud which led to the staging of a new election for governor.

Roberto Tabanero, who died in a mysterious car accident before being prosecuted, was identified as a member of the Philippine Constabulary.