WHATEVER happened to the anti-dynasty bill? Maybe it’s already gathering dust. It is automatically archived after the first reading and not even tackled on the committee level. We have to learn to live without it. Anyway democracy in this country is functionally is well. All provinces and big cities have political families serving in different capacities all at the same time.
The Duterte family is a clear example. The Binays, Garcias of Bataan, Yaps of Tarlac etc. etc. In Angeles City, The Nepomucenos and the Lazatins are always participants in every electoral process as far as I can remember. The two families contributed largely on the progress of the city so it is no wonder why the electorates keep voting for them. Though in some elections the older Lazatins and Nepomucenos lost in their attempts but the younger ones continue the tradition.
Let’s start with the Lazatins. The old man Rafael was a revered politician. He served as governor, mayor and assemblyman. Then it was former Congressman and Mayor Carmelo F. Lazatin who like the father was also Angeles City mayor. Now both his namesake, Jonjon and Pogi are into politics. Jonjon started in the elections of 1995 when reelectionist Mayor Edgardo D. Pamintuan and company nearly swept the polls. In the 10-member city council, Jonjon grabbed the last slot. I also got elected that year as member of the city council.
Three years (1995 to 1998) with Jonjon. Those years I remember him as we talked often and had discussions with him several times. I admired him most for his humility. He was nice to us his colleagues, and generous to people who sought his help. After one stint, he quit the council. And only to surface as a congressional candidate. He trounced incumbent Congressman Yeng Guiao.
Pogi Lazatin is a total surprise to me. We were both elected as councilors in the elections of 2013 under the ticket of his doting father. In my whole life I've never met someone who's so caring and generous, of his time and money. All what I've heard before I met him were the opposite. Those people who speak bad about him were either jealous or speculating. They magnified the error of his youth.
As a member of the council, I can rate his performance as outstanding. He's so discipline, never came late in the sessions and attend almost all scheduled committee hearings. He gets involved in many discussions, and easily he is earning the respect of his colleagues. Like his brother Jonjon he also inherited the good looks of their father Tarzan. With their easy going manners, and so suave, it will be no surprise if ladies get attracted to them. Now he is in a three cornered mayoral contest with tough contenders like Bryan Nepomuceno and Alex Caugiran.
And in the tale of the tape, Tarzan can be proud of his record, eight wins against two losses. It could have been seven wins, but in his last outing in 2016, he was edged by Mayor Ed Pamintuan. The score was 66,335 votes for Pamintuan against the 50,017 for Tarzan. Can’t escape the glow of politics, he run successfully as barangay captain.
To recall, the first time Jonjon faced Guiao was not that easy. The latter was the incumbent and was supported by almost big time political leaders of the city. Guiao got the surprise of his life. To recall, Yeng Guiao's in the congressional race against then incumbent Congressman Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno was considered as the biggest upset ever. It was like Rain or Shine basketball team defeating the Stephen Curry led Golden State Warrior. Guiao scored 57,015 as against Nepomuceno's 53,291.
The saga of the Lazatins and Nepomucenos continue.