Vicky Defects, Boosts EdPam’s Reelection Bid

ANGELENOS were jolted last week by the surprise defection of a long-time Lazatin protégé and loyalist to the camp of City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.
The announcement of Vice Mayor Vicky Cabigting confirming her wholehearted endorsement of Pamintuan’s reelection was, in effect, a declaration of loyalty to the city mayor.

Residents were jolted – ‘shocked’, was too strong a word -- by the vice mayor’s unequivocal announcement.

Vicky’s avowal of support to EdPam has neutralized the bandwagon effect of another political declaration. Former city mayor and ex-congressman Blueboy Nepomuceno recently announced his decision to support the mayoral bid of Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin.

Blueboy’s disclosure that Tarzan was his candidate for mayor had increased Lazatin’s political stock. But Angelenos believed the vice mayor’s defection to Pamintuan will be the tipping point in the neck-on-neck race for the mayoralty.

Observers said she would bring in Pamintuan considerable votes from the women’s and youth sectors while Blueboy has yet to persuade his followers to change heart and support Lazatin, a known enemy of the Nepo family.

Vicky has finally made a difficult decision after months of soul searching and diligent study, according to friends of her husband, the editor Art Cabigting.

Angelenos were convinced that the vice mayor would never abandon Tarzan’s cause for whatever reason. Today there is not an iota of doubt about her loyalty.

Local residents used to believe that Vicky would stick to her original benefactor and mentor in the coming elections. The fact that she had served as chief of staff of Cong. Tarzan had made them perpetual allies.

She was virtually raised and grew up in stature in the Lazatin stable.

Vicky won as city councilor and, later, as vice mayor largely due to Lazatin’s support. Such was their proven “pinagsamahan” that very few expected Vicky would abandon her seminal protector and patron.

Her friends and leaders explained that Vicky nurtures disillusionment with Lazatin. She is feeling very happy and fulfilled in the camp of Pamintuan today, they said.

“She suffered quietly while being humiliated as one of two vice mayoral candidates of Lazatin when he ran for mayor,” they explained. “Knowing she was a tested loyalist to Tarzan, she felt let down by her chief when she was compelled to share the campaign stage and Lazatin’s endorsement with her rival Jerico Aguas. She felt she deserved a better treatment from her mentor.”

When Lazatin decided to run for mayor, Vicky expected but found it futile to land as Tarzan’s running mate. Lazatin is running without a tandem, leaving Vicky no choice but to accept a position and a place of honor in the Pamintuan’s camp.

While Lazatin said Vicky is also his candidate, as he did in the past with her and Aguas, the vice mayor was not biting the bait. “I will not only back up Mayor Pamintuan but will walk side-by-side with him to see his efforts come to fruition,” she stressed.

Without referring to Tarzan’s nine-year performance as city mayor, Vicky added, “this is the first time I saw an administration (Pamintuan’s) fulfill its promises successfully.” Has Vicky found her true home? Action speaks louder than words. Certainly she has won her freedom.