Tarzan Says He’ll Miss the Late Chito Bacani

IN AN early poll survey in Angeles City, Councilor Jericho Aguas had edged his colleague Bryan Nepomuceno for the top place. Aguas has a secret weapon, not his killer goatee as some believe but his actress wife who, I was told, can seduce the male voters with her allure.

Indeed, Ms. Isabel Granada carries a certain magic. I have seen the husband-and-wife team during a previous campaign. While Jericho shook hands with scores of guests in a party, his actress-wife behind him, all male eyes focused on the pretty girl. You can say she is both a distraction and an attraction in Aguas’ sorties. Is Isabel an asset? Why, this girl can fuel social unrest among the boys.

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Jericho is like the sprinter who runs with great speed in the campaign. In the homestretch, gamblers will put their money on Bryan Nepo to make it to No.1. His parents, former MICAA cager and ex-vice governor Bong Nepo and Cutcut chairman Cecille look at Bryan’s run as a marathon.

There are miles yet before the finish line and the Nepo couple are phasing Bryan’s speed and reserving his energy. Their resources will jumpstart the son’s political adrenaline before the finish line. Not to be taken lightly are fast rising Councilor Edu Pamintuan and the aspiring Pogi Lazatin who are threatening the popular Max Sangil, a consistent No 1 in his time, to the next rank.

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As a long-time chronicler of Tarzan’s political career, from 1980 to date, I was baffled why Lazatin failed to have the late Chito Bacani in the mayoralty contest. Gamblers in the mold of a risk-taker like Tarzan always stick to a lucky charm -- someone “buenas” to keep up their winning streak. What is now sorely missing in Lazatin’s arduous fight against his friend and old ally (Pamintuan) was the deadly destroyer who struck with lethal impunity against Tarzan’s opponents.

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Lazatin condoled with the family of Chito saying, “I will truly miss him.” IC, the brilliant tactician, took a dig at his boss’s rival: “Bacani was a worthy opponent like Mayor Pamintuan.” Susmariosep, IC!

Losing someone specifically useful (and lucky) has a grave negative effect on events. Losing a favorite councilor in 1960, Mayor Manuel Abad Santos lost the election to Raf del Rosario. Later, close confidantes of Mayor Raf would be killed. He would lose his reelection to Mayor Eugenio Suarez. Then some Raf aides would be killed, he lost a reelection to Rafael Lazatin. Years later Lazatin’s trusted allies passed away while Francisco Nepomuceno’s diehard supporters would be gone. The two lost against Antonio Abad Santos. Then two trusted enforcers of Abad Santos were killed, he lost to Edgardo Pamintuan.

In the early ‘80s San Fernando Mayor Mando Biliwang lost two of his barangay officials by liquidation. He lost to Virgilio Snachez. A top aide of Gov. Lito Lapid committed suicide, the Senator would lose a mayoralty run in Makati. Soon Benalfre Galang, Gov. Mark Lapid’s enforcer, would die of multiple organ failure. Mark lost his reelection bid to Eddie Panlilio.
With Chito Bacani gone, can Cong. Tarzan’s luck hold on for long?