Sangil: Pogi Lazatin and Romy Pecson meet PPC

THE electorates trooped to the polls last May 13. The hustings started

October last year and lasted for many months. Early on, it has been the fervent hope of many that indeed, there will be a careful examination by the voters of candidates whom they want to win and to govern. The campaign trail was long and the expense of candidates definitely breached the threshold of what the Commission on Elections has set. Nobody will ever admit it though, and I am sure of it, that millions were taken out of their pockets. Bahala na ang accountant sa pagsisinungaling.

Just persuaded by a friend or a kin to vote for candidates, and worse, there was a payment in cash or in kind on your vote, will lead the country to similar problems we now curse. Rising unemployment, peace and order, corruption etc. etc. (Btw, if you are paid with P1,000 for your vote, then your real value is something less than ninety centavos a day for three years, equivalent to more than 1,000 days).

Candidates make promises, sky is the limit, which they themselves know in their hearts are not doable. For example, the poverty reduction programs, unemployment and stemming of government corruption which in many elections in the past were already promised. Gasgas na nga eh. The campaign against the drug problem and environmental protection are the two most popular advocacies. The increase in benefits of senior citizens. Tourism growth too. (Gusto niyo, nangako na, tutuparin pa?)

These basic problems besetting our country are getting worse each year, even before they got better. Well, we will just hope and cross our fingers that even a part of what was promised will be redeemed.

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You can't have it all. Lito Lapid, the poor boy from Porac, is balik Senado. However, his son, former Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid, failed to make it in the town's mayoral race. It was a landslide victory for Barangay Captain Jing Capil. Placing second was Vice Mayor Dexter David and on third place was Mark who only polled a little over 9,000 votes.

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Still in Porac town, Mike Tapang made a successful comeback as a councilor and again he is eyeing the presidency of Pampanga Councilors League (PCL). There are two other councilors coveting the same post. The winner will automatically be given a seat in the provincial board. Information I got from the grapevine was that City of San Fernando Councilor Tino Dizon and former San Luis Mayor Anastasio "Asyong" Macapagal, who graduated from being town chief executive, slid down and won a council seat, are also joining the race. Another expensive undertaking. My advice, start making rounds now and get the blessing of you-know-who.

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Mayor-elect Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin met the other day members of the Pampanga Press Club and was enthusiastically received. Everyone wanted to have a selfie with him. Even Park Inn workers and visitors clicked their cell phones. Pogi was all smiles. Genuine smiles. He disclosed some plans in the press conference, and according to him everything is still a work in progress. He promised the media group that he will always be available to them.

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Mayor-elect Romy Pecson, who made a successful comeback and trounced Malou Lacson by 27 votes in Magalang town, met also in that same afternoon at Park Inn members of the media. He said he will continue whatever good programs the former administration started, and initiate his own programs that will benefit his constituents. He will cause a special audit for the construction of the Patio project which he believes is grossly overpriced.

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