ANGELES City Councilor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin, Jr. and his team tested negative on illegal substances based on the result of a drug test conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-Central Luzon).

Lazatin and his teammates went to the PDEA Pampanga Laboratory in Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Thursday and voluntarily submitted themselves for drug testing.

Lazatin said this is in line with the Department of Interior and Local Government’s call for all the local candidates for the 2019 midterm elections to undergo voluntary drug testing.

“Every election, we undergo drug testing. Even if the Comelec rules on drug testing were changed, we submit ourselves to it because we see nothing wrong with it,” Lazatin added.

Lazatin was joined by his runningmates vice-mayoralty candidate Vicky Vega and candidates for councilor including Arvin “Pogs” Suller, Rudy Simeon, Arvin Louie “Ney” Nepomuceno, Angelito “Mr. In” Indiongco, Philip Pangilinan-Samson, Idy Marie Pamintuan, Aaron “Ron” Pineda, Marino and “Niknok” Bañola.

Lazatin’s teammates also tested negative on illegal drugs based on PDEA’s drug test results.

He said will prioritize programs and projects that will that the city will be drug-cleared.

He added that he is planning to establish functional Barangay Drug Anti-Drug Abuse Councils throughout the city’s 33 barangays and a community-based reformation center that will provide trainings and livelihood for drug law offenders.

“We will also encourage and mobilize Sangguniang Kabataan officials to become active anti-drug advocates and implement a unified drug advocacy program for the youth,” Lazatin said.

Lazatin said his program will center on providing basic quality services to Angeleños such as improvement of public health services, education, extensive solid waste management program, and infrastructure development.

Lazatin also vowed to continue the legacy of his father, former Angeles City Mayor and First District Pampanga Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin.

Lazatin is running for mayor under the Partido Federal Ng Pilipinas.