Mabalacat City – Ayos Na!

THE expected ratification by the people of Mabalacat of a law converting their town into a city after the July 21st plebiscite will be a marquee event in Central Luzon.

Initial campaign salvos launched last week and intensive, frenetic activities to drum up popular support for a YES vote will make the town the heart of Pampanga in the next 13 days.

The July 21st plebiscite caps an arduous decade-long campaign by Mayor
Marino “Boking” Morales for his town’s conversion to a city.

Apparently town residents, realizing their potential for a better, more progressive community, are supporting their mayor during his struggles to win cityhood status.

Morales’s spokesman Deng Pangilinan reported that a cross-section of the populace – from the wealthy to the poorest sector - signified their certain approval of the historic conversion.

The people’s affirmation of their cityhood has the twin effect of total socio-economic progress for Mabalacat as well as their desire to re-elect Mayor Morales in 2013.

The jubilant mayor, in a DWRW broadcast, spelled out his programs for the future city as he combined far-sighted vision with down-to-earth pragmatism.

Morales holds the de facto record as the longest-sitting Philippine mayor.

Known for his great enthusiasm and resourcefulness, he pursues his political agenda (and his love life, too) with daring and imagination.

Most barangay officials described Boking’s rule as “highly personalized service and consistently responsive.”

Media workers have written about his generosity and helpfulness.

It seems that Boking’s generous trait and responsive nature had endeared himself to his people. He is held in deep affection which had he had developed since 1995 into fruitful friendship, political alliances, and periodic drama.

Behind the successes of the durable mayor are his pretty wife Nina and his twin-pillars of support. Loyal, resourceful, and effective executives, Jun Sibal and Jun Magbalot are the dynamic duo who work behind the scene and perform platinum results for the mayor. They are professional achievers in local government service.

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The unending curiosity and attention of Pampangos have shifted from provincial politics to the mayoral fight in Angeles City.

Our cabalen have stopped talking about the gubernatorial race as though its certainty is like the sun rising tomorrow.

Popular focus is now in Angeles where two close allies have parted ways. They now face each other, both nuclear arms-capable and with a single purpose: to defeat each other.

After the smoke of the battle has cleared in May 2013 the winner will be the last woman standing. Nanay Baby.

I was amused lately after seeing photos of the Governor’s husband, FG Bong Pineda as distinguished well-wisher of Congressman Lazatin in his birthday party at Clark. Soon after, Governor Baby was with City Mayor Ed Pamintuan in the blessing of a city birthing station. They looked so happy together.

We do not describe meanings to these events. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.