AT THIS time, I am sure more than half of Angeles City constituency knows already who are in the running in the mayoral race. The article you are reading is the third and last of a mini-series. It’s my way of presenting to my readers the three friends who will be squaring it off in a mayoral contest. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Bryan Nepomuceno and Alexander Caugiran. I know them personally. I was with them in political hustings. Alex in 1998 when he won as councilor in my slate. Pogi and Bryan in the 2013 campaign. The three of us won council seats. The three are all nice, kind and humble.
In few days the three for sure will be trooping to the Comelec office with their line ups in the slate to file their certificates of candidacy. And surely national and local politicians are already positioning themselves what's next for them. And Alexander ‘the great’ Caugiran is already well positioned, and not even slings of arrows can stop him. And even the appeal of his closest ally Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan to forego his quest only fell on deaf ears. He is dead set on his attempt to succeed his former ally who now sided with the Nepomucenos. As a matter of fact, observers, including my friends from Monday Club, Wednesday Club, Villa Angela Tennis Club and several newspapermen friends said that the Angeles mayoral race will go down the wire, so to speak. It will be neck to neck. Yes, I doubt those surveys done not by professional groups. I believe more the people I got in touch with. Face to face.
Since voters will have the real power and make their choices through the ballots, it matters most to many who is most qualified to handle the rein of the Angeles City government. Caugiran and his thousands of followers believe he is the best person to carry out policies and programs of a burgeoning metropolis. This poor boy from Barangay Sapangbato may not have the prestige and status or the surname of the city’s rich clans, but his humble beginnings and rose to become top honcho of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) is something for him and his friends and families to be very proud of. He recalled when he was in his early twenties he was already speaking on an alternative to the nearby US military installation. Even then he foresaw that instead of an airbase he was proposing an economic zone and an international airport, an aerotropolis that will generate jobs and investments that will cascade to Angeles City.
And Caugiran proved to all and sundry that he is one leader who can really rise or even fly high to an occasion. Clark Freeport’s growth emanates greatly from the many flights and millions of passengers using the Clark Airport now. Caugiran rolled his sleeves and presided on its growth. The roadshows he initiated in many places here and abroad bore fruits of progress. He is a workaholic person. In his heart he believes that he can always make a difference. A reflection of his true character. He may have a booming voice, but his heart is soft. He is always driven to succeed whatever it takes. He has no special interest for himself but he is genuinely concern for Angeles City’s future. He is always willing to work for the welfare of others.
As he will leave his seat at CIAC and embark on another journey, Caugiran’s success, it seems cannot be restrained.
Tidbits: Mabalacat City vice-mayor will face the sitting Mayor Cris Garbo in the mayoral contest. So interesting. What is more interesting is that Halili will have former Mayor Boking Morales as his vice-mayor. Here’s the complete lineup: Dan Bayani,Jerry Basillio, Noel Castro, Timothy Dee, Froylan Galang, Jerry Magsino, Dwight Morales, Carlo Rivera, Bok Tiglao, Eddie Soto and Rogelio Yumul. A powerhouse, according to observers. Up to press time, Garbo’s lineup wasn’t not made public.