POLITICIANS are sometimes likened to ring boxers. Like ring fighters, the politicos find it so difficult to hang the political gloves. Like yo-yos they keep coming back and only will they stop when the string will snap. But there are exceptions. I heard from the grassroots that former congressman and Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, former Mayor Rey Aquino, former Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid, former Porac Mayor Condralito Dela Cruz, former Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo and former Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales are among those reported who will retire completely and stop joining any future hustings. Though they can change their minds. That's always a possibility.
Those who are keeping the door ajar, so to speak, are ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who may take another shot in the second district. She loves challenges of public service. She can be House of Representatives speaker once more for the sake of Pampanga and country. (I think Congressman Mikey won't mind even though he is making his presence felt in Congress). Former Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan maybe vacillating at this time. His followers may push him back to the ring. My reading is that he want to finish his new city hall building project. Of course there's former Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno who is probably carefully weighing his options.
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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 carved his niche as one of the best governors Pampanga ever had, aside from being a brilliant lawyer. He is still very much in the practice of law and I guess he must be in his late eighties by now. There are others but they can't be compared with the first three. There were who shouldn't have been in public service but I'd rather not mention them. They did nothing but stuffed their pockets and bank accounts. They were so poor when they started, now they own houses in separate places and prized real estate.
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In today's millennial age, there is an outstanding public servant. All past governors of any province in the country will pale in comparison. Former governor now Vice Governor Lilia "Nanay Baby" Pineda is the quintessential public servant. The "Nanay" is the Mother Teresa of the sick people in Pampanga and elsewhere. She does her job so sincerely and not hoping for anything in return. Her son Governor Dennis "Delta" Pineda draws her inspiration and strength from her. Like mother, like son. Super sipag both. No one in Pampanga can argue with that.
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TIDBITS: Mother and son truly care. Last month Governor Dennis Pineda signed a deed of usufruct for the use of an area in Clark Freeport for the establishment of an annex of the provincial hospital...Tigtigan, Terakan King Dalan which was successfully hosted by Mayor Pogi Lazatin will be cancelled this year. Held every last Thursday and Friday of October, the stoppage can be blamed to the pandemic... The Angeles-San Fernando portion of the MacArthur Highway is really in bad shape. It needs to be replaced or repaired at the very least. May I suggest an asphalt overlay?