Rey Aquino – Magbalik Ya

THE past, present, and the future converged last week in a vortex of separate events and settings, making June, the traditional wedding season, a political month.

The Present. Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has been chosen as one of the five World Mayor Prize nominees from Asia, while landing within the core group of 25 distinguished honorees from various continents.

Pamintuan’s extraordinary performance, regularly featured in newspapers and radio, includes stellar projects in public health, education, environmental management, graft-corruption free administration, cultural, youth, women, and senior citizens’ welfare programs.

The World Mayor project dramatizes the profile of outstanding city mayors worldwide. Awarded every two years, the search honors performers who have served with distinction and contributed to the advancement of cities here and internationally.

The Past. The first city mayor of San Fernando (1995-2004), Dr. Rey Aquino is determined to get back to his position.

Only a day after announcing his future candidacy, his old nemesis (and kumpadre) fired a salvo, apparently to shoot down Dr. Rey’s certain aspiration.

Mayor Oca Rodriguez issued a warning to Fernandinos to “be cautious of candidates.” He asked residents to check on their credibility, “and if they still have unsettled issues in their previous terms.”

While the outgoing world-class mayor stirred dying embers of the past, Dr. Rey in a side interview with this writer after a press conference, confided:

“Anyang kuldas ku detang utang a sasabyan da ilapin detang current payables for June 2004 like electric, telephone, gasoline bills, at para karetang projects a e kumpletu documentu.

“But atin pang datang a IRA for the next six months for 2004 on top of the P10-million cash a likwan ku.

“For this administration (Oca’s-RM), I heard from reliable sources na P285 million na ing current a utang. That was two months ago!”

Alluding to the maiden proclamation of Aquino’s City Council slate and of his own, Mayor Oca said he was saddened by the “apparent early campaign of some politicians aspiring for posts in 2013.”

However, Mayor Oca’s heir apparent, Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago has been doing his own quiet visitations to his leaders.

Before the former mayor’s formal entry in the contest, Santiago was the seeded bet on account of the Mayor’s support and his own popularity to the masses.

Public reaction last week seems to have turned the table on “Edsa” with the methodical “pasada” of Dr. Rey as he revived his old intact machinery which gave him three terms as mayor, and once as Congressman.

Wisely he bided his time during Mayor Oca’s reign.

Dr. Rey has been invited to join the UNA of VP J. Binay; on the local level he signified intention to be a member of the inchoate Kambilan. He would not divulge his running mate as yet.

He pledged the following to Fernandinos: “Less politicking, more of true service. We will go out to serve than be served; transparency, participatory, consultative and God-fearing governance. To look after the welfare of every sector and every Fernandino.”

The Young Once. Cong. Tarzan Lazatin observes his 78 birthday this Thursday (June 28) among his friends, supporters and leaders in his District. A big bash at the Hotel Stotsenberg will recall his checkered career after a quarter century of public service.

Ranged against two young and physically active rivals in 2013 (Vice Gov. Yeng Guiao and former city mayor and ex-Rep. Blueboy Nepo) Tarzan has been undergoing stem cell therapy with positive results. He has lost many pounds, but has reportedly gained his sexual vitality and a renewed zest for life. He has been dieting seriously that his waistline has decreased considerably. His doctors at St. Luke’s hospital thought he was “undernourished” from his diet regimen.

His memory is all right, says his capable Girl Friday IC (Calaguas). IC said the Cong. had filed so many bills and resolutions, too numerous, in fact, that he has forgotten them. He-he-he!”

At This Writing. The nation has been deluged with appeals for mass prayers to save comedian Dolphy and that he may survive his critical condition. He is under a life support system.

If he gains a new lease on life after his near fatal condition, my own prayer will be that the undeclared national artist will marry his long time partner, singer actress Zsa Zsa Padilla.

It is his final legacy to a woman who left her husband for the love of Dolphy. It is long overdue and a sacramental marriage would be his ultimate act at self-redemption.