MINALIN -- In what was described as a history in the political landscape of Pampanga, fourth district Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc and Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda have decided to join forces in time for the coming May 2019 midterm elections.
Bondoc and Pineda, who are both scions of prominent political families in Pampanga, yesterday announced publicly the forging of their alliances to the surprise of Minaleño audience at the Barangay Sta. Rita covered court here.
For over a decade now, the Bondoc and Pineda clans are known to have a sour relationship with each other.
While none from the two families have opposed each other for a particular position during elections, they have supported opposing candidates during local polls.
During yesterday’s event, the two leaders paid respect to each other marking the alliance between the two powerful Kapampangan families.
From 1987 up to present, the Bondocs have marked the fourth district of Pampanga as their position starting from his father, the late Dr. Emigdio Bondoc down to his sister Dr. Anna York Bondoc.
The Pinedas, meanwhile, hail from the province’s second district. The family matriarch, incumbent Governor Lilia Pineda, had served as councilor and mayor of Lubao town.
The vice governor's sister, Mylyn Pineda Cayabyab, is the incumbent Lubao town mayor and president of the Pampanga Mayors’ League.
Key to Pampanga’s progress
In an exclusive interview with SunStar Pampanga, Bondoc described his alliance to the Pinedas as the “right thing to do” to be able to fulfill his family’s mission of providing a sustained development in Pampanga, particularly in the fourth district.
He stressed that Pineda, who already confirmed his gubernatorial bid in 2019, will be the ‘key’ in achieving the development needed by the province for the benefit of the Kapampangans.
“I do not see anything wrong in being humble. I am bowing my head to Governor (Dennis) Pineda because I know that he can be the key in providing progress for my beloved kabalen in the fourth district of Pampanga which has been my family’s mission for decades now. And instead of becoming a hindrance, I wanted to be an instrument in providing that progress,” Bondoc said.
He added that true progress can only be achieved if the leaders will set aside their personal interest and join together in crafting programs that will become useful in achieving development, thus his willingness to make peace with the Pinedas.
No political bargain
Pineda, for his part, assured the Kapampangans that the alliance between his family and the Bondoc only roots from their common goal of providing honest public service to Kapampangans, and that no bargaining or personal deal is included.
“We have known the Bondoc for true public service for the Kapampangans. In fact, we can say that we owe to them the growth and development of the fourth district over the years and that is the sole reason we came to this moment,” Pineda stressed.
Pineda added that more than the political alliance, he and the whole Pineda family are more inclined in establishing a ‘genuine and lasting’ friendship with the Bondoc family.
Bridging the gap
Flores, who was celebrating his 64th natal day yesterday, was pointed as the man behind the momentous event in Pampanga politics. Both Bondoc and Pineda said that Flores bridged the gap between them in an aim to unite all leaders in the province.
And deciding to make it public before the Minaleños on his birthday celebration was a dream come true for Kapampangans and the best gift anybody could offer, Flores said.
“I told myself that nothing is impossible and there is nothing indeed. We were able to unite the two great sons of Pampanga to provide better public service to our kabalen,” he said, adding that the event marks the continuous development for the Kapampangan province to be spearheaded by the gentlemen leaders.
With the unity between two leaders, it was confirmed that Bondoc will only seek re-election in the House of Representatives while Pineda will pursue his plan of succeeding his mother in the gubernatorial seat.