Lucky Yeng

ONE of the provincial icons of the province that I respect most is Vice Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao.

I'm like any other Kapampangan who salutes the hardworking, intellectual presiding officer of the Provincial Board of Pampanga.

Yeng, as is fondly called, is on his final term as presiding officer of the SP. There are other politicos like him who are on their last and final terms in their respective offices as local elected officials.

Being the son of Tatang Bren Guiao, the former Governor of the province during President Cory Aquino’s time, he started to immerse himself in the world of Pampanga politics when elected as the provincial board member of Pampanga representing the 1st District. He was elected Vice-Governor then and is now on his last term.

As a legislator, he was instrumental in the passage of several legislative enactments that contributed to the further growth and development of the province.

He was in the limelight when he fought for the series of irregularities of the Capitol administration during the time of the then priest-turned governor. I saw in his eyes his fight for the good and proper governance of Pampanga.

He exposed various issues and concerns that somehow widened the separation of the executive from the legislative department of the provincial government. As Vice Governor and while leading advocacies for righteous, proper and good governance, he enjoyed the support of all provincial board members under his tutelage in their fight for effective and efficient provincial leadership.

As a graduating Vice-Governor, he cannot help but to aspire for other positions to continue his advocacies and services to the public. His concern for his constituents is his guiding force and motivation to seek another position since his present post is about to expire by next year.

Public service runs in his blood and he will live and die as a public servant. Since he announced his bid to run for the congressional post of the 1st district of Pampanga, various support came for his political plans.

Among the latest who expressed his support for his bid is top business boss Manny V. Pangilinan, better known as MVP. For him, Vice-Gov Yeng is his most valuable politico in the province.

It's not every day that MVP endorses personalities especially in a different world of public service through politics.

According to MVP, “Vice-Gov Yeng is the only candidate who can make things greater in Angeles City, Mabalacat and Magalang”.

I consider Vice Gov Yeng as a lucky guy who is at the right place at the right time.

Recently, his supposed rival for the congressional bid, incumbent Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin has announced that he will be running for the mayoralty post of Angeles City instead of seeking for re-election.

Should the two have a face-off in the next elections, it would be a great but difficult and expensive match for them. A champion player versus a seasoned politician.

With a no-contest fight and the backing of a business tycoon, Vice-Gov Yeng will be the next congressman of the 1st district of Pampanga.