IN LESS than two weeks, the electorate will troop to the polling stations. It’s voting time. And in these remaining days, the hustings in the political trails among candidates will dust up further.
Oh, I wish I can predict the winners. I don’t have much faith on those paid surveys, particularly surveys paid for by candidates. Nonetheless I have my wish list, and with fervent hope that my favorite persons can hurdle May 13.
I have in my sights Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan, who is the first nominee of party list Abeka. I want to see him as part of the House of Representatives. A little background about him. It was in 1988 when I first met in person Ed Pamintuan, though I've heard his name from the grapevine as a young lawyer defending poor litigants.
In that year, candidate for mayor Tony Abad Santos aka "Bubusuk" was trying to complete his team for the forthcoming local elections. I was on board and joined the slate composed of Pacito Pabalan, Lito Ganzon, Dr. Ramon Moreno, Rafael "Pengot" Del Rosario, Tony Gomez, Bernardino De Guzman, Cora Garcia and with Pamintuan as Abad Santos's running mate.
The tandem won and captured several council seats. That started Edpam's political career. His only loss was against Francis "Blue Boy" Nepomuceno in a congressional race. He can’t just turn his back yet on public service, that’s why he is again trying his luck.
He is damn lucky. He shed off the Leon Guerrero persona. He is now "Pinuno." And because of his role in the long running series "Ang Probinsiyano" he ranks high in the senatorial derby. In fairness to Lapid, he admits that he cannot measure up to his job as a member of the Philippine Senate, that's why in 2004 he already thought of running for mayor in Angeles City. He suffered a defeat from Pamintuan’s hand.
Oh, I wish I have the power to make these three gentlemen mayor of Angeles City. Each one of them can provide the city with their own brand of service. As far as I know, based on their ethics, they have the ability and inclination to respond to what is required of them. Alex Cauguiran is diligent. Pogi Lazatin is principled. Bryan Nepomuceno is learned. If I have a magic wand I will gerrymander Angeles City into three.
Vicky Vega Cabigting is a strong-willed woman molded in the likes of Madeleine Albright. She knows every nook and corner of Angeles City. She’s a terrific campaigner. The beautiful Maricel "Marang" Morales is so charming like Princess Diana and caring like Baby Pineda. Aside from being a capable legislator, she can easily win voters with her winking and smiles. Edu Pamintuan is one of the nicest guys I’ve met in my life. He’s kind, generous and humble. He is lucky to have his parents on his side and back.
I feel strong and can bet four bottles of SML that Mikey Macapagal-Arroyo will easily breeze through. Joining him as a sure winner is 4th District Congressman Rimpy Bondoc and 3rd District Rep. Dong Gonzales. It’s a battle royale between Rep. Jonjon Lazatin vs. comebacking Yeng Guiao. On the mayoral race, Mexico’s Teddy Tumang is Llamado, so is San Simon’s Digos Canlas, Masantol’s Dan Guinto, Guagua’s Dante Torres, Minalin’s Edgar Flores and Arayat’s Bon Alejandrino. Lubao’s Esmie Pineda is unopposed. The battlegrounds: Porac, Magalang, Sto.Tomas, Apalit and Macabebe. It will be photo finish in the mayoral race in the City of San Fernando