San Pedro: Blueboy

THE political pot is apparently heating up all over the country as candidates for various public positions last Monday filed their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COCs). In Angeles City, many had awaited the return of former Pampanga 1st District Rep. Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno in the political scene.

Last week, Nepomuceno, accompanied by his wife Gina and sons Jepoy and Christian, finally filed his COC – defining the contours of the electoral landscape in Angeles City and the whole of the First Congressional District. It also paved the way for the much awaited battle royale

between Rep. Carmelo Lazatin and Angeles Mayor Ed Pamintuan for the mayorship.

Nepomuceno does not mind the political rhetoric and mudslinging hurled his way, he just wants to serve anew his constituents in the First Congressional District made evident with his barangay consultation meetings.

The former lawmaker said he is determined to continue what he started before -- the delivery of basic services in Angeles City, Mabalacat and Magalang towns. Nepomuceno served as congressman of First District at a time of reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Pampanga following the cataclysmic eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

Among the major projects that Nepomuceno completed include the Pulung Maragul-Pandan Bridge and the Hensonville Bridge. The two bridges serve as vital links to the North Luzon Expressway and Magalang town while the other one serves the western portion of Angeles City. At the time, the Friendship Bridge was also destroyed by lahar flows.

If Nepomuceno did not pursue the completion of the vital bridges, local economy and movement of people and goods will be greatly affected.
Angeles City has a rich voting population and in all likelihood it will determine the outcome of the congressional race in the First Congressional District. The Angeleños are not just ready to give the congressional seat to a non-resident of Pampanga.

Meanwhile, former media colleague Mark Allen Sison, the political officer of Vice President Jejomar Binay, has also joined the political bandwagon eyeing the vice mayorship of Angeles City, where he served as City Administrator under the administration of Nepomuceno.

Sison has vowed to purse the creation of barangay senior citizens centers, support barangay scholars, provide info tech program for public schools and barangay health centers which he is already currently doing, women’s livelihood program and a new People’s Sangguniang Building. Sison said he will also pursue the Sisterhood Agreement with Makati City to facilitate exchange of best practices. Sison had been visible even when he left the City Hall to join Vice President Binay and I am sure he will serve as an antithesis to old trapos.