ANGELES CITY -- Former Angeles City Mayor and Pampanga First District Congressman Carmelo Lazatin has “praised” Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan allegedly “for doing a great job in depleting and consuming all the resources and coffers of the government for his personal gains.”
Lazatin was reacting to reports that Pamintuan, during an event with the city’s village captain last week, quoted “Lazatin did nothing for the progress of Angeles City.”
He also quoted Pamintuan as saying that former “is nothing but a trapo (traditional politician).”
“Kaya nga tayo ang gusto nating pahabulin sa susunod dito sa Angeles ay iyong mga bata na, dahil gusto nating tuluyang mawala mga trapo,” Lazatin quoted Pamintuan.
The congressman said he has admired Pamintuan for his heart and dedication “not to public service but to corruption.”
Lazatin pointed out that to date, millions worth of vouchers of payables have allegedly remained unpaid by the City Government despite its P1.7 billion annual budget. He said that instead of paying the obligations, Pamintuan is using the city’s budget for payroll of his alleged 8,000 “ghost” employees.
He also said pointed out the flagship projects of Pamintuan like the P16 million fountain in front of Museo Ning Angeles and the multi-million Heritage District Project, which cost the city millions of pesos are all allegedly overpriced.
Lazatin said Pamintuan is the only city mayor of Angeles City who has no legitimate business under his name yet his lifestyle allegedly shows that he has become such a wealthy man.
“Saan nanggaling ang yaman ng Mayor na ito? Sa kaban ng bayan? Paano ka yayaman na wala ka namang negosyo?” Lazatin said.
Lazatin, who served the First District of Pampanga in various capacities for 26 years, earlier declared his serious intention of running for Angeles City Mayor in 2019.