HOW many times have I said that politicians are like ring fighters? Some politicos find it so difficult to hang their political gloves. A good example is former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who is 94 years old and still wants to return to the senate via an election. And in case he will be voted again at the end of his six year term he will be a centenarian. He can collect an additional P100 thousand in case he will be firmly seated in his senate seat. And on top of that he will land in the Guinness Book of World Record. Hopefully, after the first term he won’t run for a re-election. In case if by the grace of God he can live more than a hundred.
There is always that strong attraction of being a public figure. No wonder Joseph Estrada, Imelda Marcos, Alfredo Lim who are already past their prime are still seeking the limelight. I am not as old as them but elected to retire from active politics, though there were some thoughts before the last day of filing if I should make another try. Better judgment said I will have my garden leave. Enough of politics.
I am not entirely closing the door to forthcoming challenges of public service but as much as possible getting back to government must not be via an election. The polls should now be the arena of younger people, and there are several promising personalities who surely will hold the rein in the many years to come. Dennis Pineda, Rimpy Bondoc, Alex Caugiran , Bryan Nepomuceno, Pogi Lazatin, Jonjon Lazatin Angie Hizon, Mike Tapang, Jun Tetangco, Teddy Tumang, Jun Canlas, Dinan Labung, Mikey M. Arroyo, Vilma Caluag, Dexter David, Christian Halili and several more others are only waiting on the wing.
Rare and memorable exceptions of people whose fervent desire really is to serve. Some achieved their goals, others missed the opportunities. I have in mind people like Rafael L. Lazatin who became governor of Pampanga and Juanita Lumanlan Nepomuceno who with distinction served as representative of the first congressional district of the province. Governor Estelito Mendoza, who up to now is the number one abogado de campanilla, carved his niche as one of the best governors Pampanga ever had. There are others but they can't be compared with the first three. There were also who shouldn't have been in public service but I'd rather not mention them.
In today's millennial age, there are outstanding public servants. One name stands out. If I mention the name, I am sure it will meet wholehearted approval from the majority. She is Lilia'Nanay Baby 'Pineda, the incumbent governor. Many people said, including me that 'Nanay' is the Mother Teresa of the sick people in Pampanga and elsewhere. She is running as vice governor in next year mid-term elections. As a respect to her, nobody wanted to oppose her.
Of course there are still loose responses of my picks. I can't in conscience include those who are not deserving. In the second and forthcoming batches of politicians in Pampanga they should try harder and serve well in order to be well remembered by their constituencies even when they are no longer in the political arena.