Wednesday, March 28, 2007 San Pedro: Free zone is a slap on Mark Lapid By Art R. San Pedro Synthesis
THE declaration by the administration party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or KAMPI of a free zone in Pampanga as far as the governorship is concerned is a slap on the face of Governor Mark T. Lapid.
It is an implied manifestation of the shortcoming of Mark in office. If Mark was a good and efficient governor, the administration party will sink or swim with him.
It is the best bargain Mark can get under the circumstances obtaining in Pampanga. Looking at the situation in another way, this is an implied admission of the strength of Senior Board Member Lilia "Baby" Pineda.
If Mark and his handlers will observe, their camp is deserted; a house vacated by its members. Mark can only blame himself for this because he failed to exercise the obligation of a good father among the members of his family.
Like migratory birds, the members in the family have left him. Come the campaign period, Mark is like a desperate warrior fighting the windmills. If Mark cannot head and decipher the sentiments of the Kapampangans, he is dull and dumb.
A good governor is not detached from political realities. If Mark and his handlers stubbornly insist the showing of the action film "Tatlong Baraha" will save him from the gallows, he is mistaken. The kapampangans are demanding accomplishments.
For more than one month now, "Nanay" Baby Pineda has stormed the whole province with her sorties. These activities are not only well attended but SRO's, they indicate the growing popularity of "NANAY" where her kindness and benevolence is a household name In Pampanga. Nanay's situation is a sharp contrast to the stingy character of Mark.
The way things are going. Cheap gimmicks and publicity stunts will not work for Mark in the local elections.
Lately, Mark and his propagandists have been desperate in the alleged selection of Pampanga as among the Best Province in Local governance, this is a big lie!
More than anyone, Mark should know better!
How can we have an outstanding province when the governor is not governing? How can we have an outstanding province when we have an absentee governor? How can we be outstanding when provincial finances have sunk for the last 12 years? How can we be outstanding when basic services have deteriorated at the Capitol?
As of now, there is no way Mark can avoid and defend the issues of absenteeism and graft and corruption. The quarry scandal alone will buy him alive. Mark cannot fool the kapampangans all the time because he is too heavy and off-form. My fearless forecast is that Nanay will beat him by a landslide. Let us see!
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I have seen the unofficial lineup of Representative Rey Aquino and it looks to be a strong and formidable team. The team will come out with a respectable showing. It is a combination of veterans and new faces.
The veteran reelectionist Rolly Macalino, Jay Cuyugan, former board member Robert David and Boy Lati Quiambao. Among the new faces are Engineer Raymond Guevarra, son of former mayor Pat Guevarra, and Engineer Raf Maglalang, son of former councilor Costly Maglalang, Dennis Dizon, Dr. Benjie Angeles, Puring Bamba and Paulo Quiwa. Team Slogan is KAPILAN MAN, ECO MAKALINGWAN!
As for vice mayoralty bet Noel Tulabut, he has to exert double if not triple time to beat popular incumbent Edwin Santiago, But I admire Noel's courage and determination.
The slogan KAPILAN MAN ECO MAKALINGWAN is just perfect for the team especially for Dr. Rey Aquino, it is a reflection of his mastery of the political terrain. Dr. Aquino knows at heart the faces and names of political leaders, big families, and voters in San Fernando. Never was he detached from the people even for a moment.
