BARANGAY Chairman Tarzan Lazatin is expected to report to office tomorrow and assume lordship of Balibago after a prolonged absence ascribed to a medical condition.
By the looks of it the Lion King is in normal health pretending to be sick. The days he was not seen in active work did not mean he was remiss in fulfilling his duties. Tarzan is known to run his offices, from Congress to City Hall, by remote control.
He used to say to critics who faulted him for not reaching him in his office thus: “I can be located anywhere, anytime. This is where I hold office.”
After a long reckoning, citizens identified his other office at the Casino where failing to agree to most requests by his visitors he feeds them expensive food courtesy of signing privilege. The guests leave empty handed but well fed.
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Balibago senior Kagawad Tony Mamac, while Tarzan was not around, plotted to declare the job title of the chairman vacant and took over the office.
When Lazatin assumes office today, there will be two seating Punong Barangay at the barrio hall. Confusing and misleading his foes is an art developed by Lazatin in about a quarter century in politics. Pretending to appear in financial distress when he is awash with cash deludes his opponents. Pretending to be sick when he could play in the casino all night makes the rivals relax in the campaign. At the crucial hour the lion king prowls the stock market and leads the “gulung” operations like the invasion of Normandy.
Mamac believes the lion king is ailing but cannot tell from what. Unless the former intelligence medallist can produce Lazatin’s medical record, the worst that Kapitan Tarzan can be accused of is “malingering”
He has been reported to have sold his shares in a hotel casino and is dangerously loaded. He would not be seen unloading money in local casino tables.
Can it be possible that he played in Metro Manila during the 29 days of missing in Balibago? Mamac asked.
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Tarzan cannot afford to get seriously sick at this stage of his life. At stake is the political future o f the junior lions- Rep. Jon and City Councilor Pogi. Without the presence of their father, despite the fortune shared by their experienced elder, they would get lost in the jungle.
Today’s hypothesis: Is Lazatin in good health pretending to be sick?