THREE years ago, 2015, it was the first week of October when those running for political office in Pampanga trooped to the Commission on Elections offices to file their certificates of candidacy (COC). In a front page story in one issue of Sun Star, the paper came out with front page photo of then former Angeles City Councilor Jonjon Lazatin accompanied by his father former Mayor Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin. Both proudly held and displayed the accomplished COCs. The smiles on their faces seemingly telling all and sundry of the impending victory of the young Lazatin.
In another photo were candidates of the Kambilan, the dominant local party in Pampanga, headed by incumbent Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda. With her were Vice Governor Dennis Pineda and Congressman Yeng Guiao. Said the headline, 'Guiao to Wrestle House Seat vs. (Jonjon) Lazatin'. Many observers are saying this a beautiful match up worth watching. Indeed it was. Jonjon trounced the incumbent Guiao. Guiao even got the backing of powerful businessmen and top politicians of Angeles City, yet was defeated and that lost sent him back from the halls of congress to the basketball courts.
In that same election year of 2015, it was a return of the comebacking former Congressman Dong Gonzales. It became a three cornered contest in the congressional race in the third district with former City of San Fernando Councilor Pol Quiwa and supposedly the man to beat was incumbent Representative Oscar Rodriguez who was gunning for reelection. Gonzales scored an upset. Rodriguez didn’t know what hit him. He was still then eligible for another term as mayor of San Fernando, but in my recollection he told while both of us gulping ‘tsokalateng binatirol’ that he wanted the political door slammed against Gonzales. It was rumored that hundreds of millions of pesos flooded every barangays in the third district. Money rained like the Ompong downpour.
In the fourth district, Apalit Mayor Jun Tetangco faced incumbent Congressman Rimpy Bondoc. It was a one sided win for Bondoc. In the second district, former President now House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo run unopposed in her third and final term in the second congressional district. At this early her eldest son, former Congressman Mikey Macapagal Arroyo will run for the vacated seat in the district. As of this writing no report yet about a possible opponent or opponents for Mikey. The young Arroyo has been making the rounds in the district as if there’s no tomorrow.
In many towns, the political contests were tight. In Porac town, the contest was between incumbent Mayor Carling De La Cruz and Councilor Mike Tapang. The latter lost in a close contest. In the coming May elections next year , it will be a three cornered fight between Vice Mayor Dexter David, Barangay Captain Jing Capil and former Governor Mark Lapid. David is the man to beat. Meanwhile, incumbent Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon breezed through in his last outing and finish his last and final term and is reported to be eyeing the capitol vs. Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda. Jomar’s younger brother Derek will be running for mayor. The face off between older brother Bobong Flores facing his younger sister, incumbent Mayor Annette Flores Balgan was a spectacle in the Macabebe mayoral race. The sister won. Annette will rest this coming elections but not Bobong. He will try another run and this time he will face his younger brother. And in the City of San Fernando, incumbent Mayor Edwin Santiago run in 2015 by his lonesome. Not this time. He will face next May Councilor Vilma Caluag who in latest reports is so fast gaining ground that worries now Santiago’s supporters.