Nepomuceno joins Lazatin’s slate

ANGELES CITY -- Councilor Bryan Nepomuceno has officially joined as guest candidate of the slate of Representative Carmelo Lazatin (1st district, Pampanga), who will try to recapture his old post as city mayor in the 2013 election.

Last Thursday, Nepomuceno announced that he will join Lazatin’s ticket but clarified that he will retain his original party, the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC).

"We welcome Councilor Atty. Bryan Nepomuceno in our slate. He will definitely be an outstanding addition in our line-up," Lazatin said.

The younger Nepomuceno, who will seek a second term as councilor, is a son of former Angeles City Councilor and Pampanga Vice Governor Robin Nepomuceno.

The Nepomucenos and the Lazatins are prominent political figures in Pampanga, especially in their bailiwick of Angeles City.

The younger Nepomuceno’s decision to join Lazatin’s slate is considered historical by many because the two families have been known to be archrivals in the political scene in Angeles City for a very long period.

Aside from the young Nepomuceno, also included in Lazatin's line-up are former Angeles City Councilor and veteran news anchor Max Sangil, Lazatin's son Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin, and lawyers Niño Enriquez and Imelda "IQ" Tuazon.

Lazatin is also adopting incumbent Councilors Jericho Aguas and Maricel Morales, Ruben Maniago and Amos Rivera, who are running under the line-up of Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

The lawmaker said he is leaving a spot for Councilor Alfie Bonifacio, who is also seeking a second term.