Lazatin won't endorse vice mayor, congressman

ANGELES CITY -- First District Representative Carmelo Lazatin said he will not be endorsing a vice mayor and a congressman when he campaigns for the city mayor in next year elections.

Lazatin said his lineup is only set for only three councilor’s seats with his team welcoming the possibility of having Lawyer Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno as among his councilors in the 2013 race.

Irish Calaguas, Lazatin's senior adviser for political affairs, quoted the lawmaker as saying that he will not be including a vice mayor in his lineup and will not be supporting any congressional representative for the district in the 2013 elections.

“Congressman [Lazatin] has already decided to run and there is no changing that decision,” Calaguas said, adding that they have not talked to any other politician regarding Lazatin’s political line up.

Lazatin’s camp is also optimistic of the usual support from their grassroots supporters in Angeles City come 2013.

“We are not supporting anybody and Congressman [Lazatin] is set to run for mayor without any vice mayor except for three councilors under his team,” Calaguas said, adding that the politicians to run under the said positions are yet to be identified by their camp.

However, Calaguas said they welcome the possibility of having lawyer Bryan Nepomuceno to run as councilor in Lazatin’s team in 2013.

Nepomuceno is the son of former city councilor and League of Barangays president Robin Lumanlan Nepomuceno and Cutcut village chief Cecilia Nepomuceno.

Calaguas was quick to reiterate that Lazatin will not be supporting any congressional candidate in 2013.

Rumors of Lazatin's plans spread early last week while Pamintuan was in the United States facilitating donations for the city's health programs through World Medical Relief Inc. that Lazatin will run for mayor of this city in 2013.

Both Pamintuan and his supporters in Angeles City were surprised by the lawmaker's move.

“He is my ally and I will campaign for him and like what everybody in my city knows. I was never what he pictured me. I am a loyal friend and ally,” Pamintuan said.

Lazatin’s camp said the sudden pronouncement came after the alleged withdrawal of support of Pamintuan to the lawmaker’s previous re-election bid.

Calaguas earlier said Pamintuan is reportedly supporting Vice Governor Joseller Guiao, who recently aired his congressional bid in the said district.

“We don’t want to be ‘double-crossed’ again,” Calaguas said.

Pamintuan, for his part, was surprised by the move of Lazatin.

"Never in my mind, as my past political history would bare me out, never will I leave my friends and ally in any political contest," Pamintuan told Sun.Star Pampanga.

Pamintuan said he will remain a friend and supporter of Congressman Lazatin.