Women leaders slam Lazatin

ANGELES CITY -– Leaders of various women’s organizations criticized what they described as lack of coherent and clear program of government of Representative Carmelo Lazatin (1st district, Pampanga).

“Is that all? You call that a program of government? That's not a program. That's a very, very, very shortlist of what he intends to do. But even as a list, the same pales in comparison to the program of government of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan as presented in the contract with Angeleños,” Meren Coronel of the Kapisanan ng mga Kababaihan para sa Kaunlaran ng Angeles (KKKA) said.

Tess Larcina, of the Kababaihan para sa Edukasyon at Demokrasya (K-ED), said: “that short list only shows that the Lazatin camp is not serious. It is a clear proof of the bankruptcy of Lazatin himself. And he himself is bankrupt then there is no telling where he could lead the city. Hence, we must totally reject the false pretensions of Lazatin.”

In a press release the other day, Irish Calaguas, Lazatin's chief of staff, presented to the media the lawmaker’s program of government including elimination of graft and social services.

“Essentially, it is nothing but an empty motherhood statement. No mention about protecting the rights of women and children. No mention about how to address the problem of growing number of college drop outs. No specifics. None at all,” Coronel said.

Larcina said “Lazatin and his subalterns lack the social, economic and political vision needed to come up with a comprehensive program of government. The aging congressman simply does not have what it takes. He does not have the skills, capacity and most especially, the energy needed by the city today.”

“We already have those in Atty. Ed Pamintuan. He is simply the best mayor Angeles City had, has and will always have. Madaling makita, madaling hanapin, madaling kausapin, mabait sa masang Angelenyo,” Larcina added.

Women and children's rights and welfare are protected under the administration of Mayor Pamintuan, according to Coronel, adding “the city mayor will always do this mainly because he is a lawyer and a human rights advocate.”

Reelectionist Pamintuan will be opposed by Lazatin in the mayoralty race next year. (Reynaldo G. Navales)