THE holidays are over. Let's roll our sleeves and get to do what we are supposed to do. Shake the hangover. Let's get back where we left off. Us column writers have to gather more information and validate such before it will get printed. As much as possible, I want nothing more than to be one hundred percent correct in my reporting that maybe devoid of bias. But that's next to impossible. It is only in mathematics as an exact science that one plus one is equals two. All persons, and there's no exception, carry some biases and prejudices. So I write as I write.
In October this year, the "circus" will come to town. As required by law, the filing of certificates of candidacy by those running for public office will take place. Those who unsheathed their swords to do serious political battle will have their slate complete and will be marching with rolling drums, maybe a whole bugle band that will accompany them to the Commission on Elections branch offices. (I experienced that when I was in the council slate of the late Tony Abad Santos 1988. Again with former Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan in 1995 and with the late Tarzan Lazatin in 2013. Always bongaccious, a millennial will describe).
Who's in and who is out in coming October? Let me start in Angeles City. There's a likelihood that the Lazatin brothers, Mayor Pogi and Congressman Jonjon maybe running unopposed. At this early, those who wanted the face the two juniors are holding their cards so close to their chests. Though once in a while, with some small talks with my drinking buddies in Sto. Domingo, tongits cronies from Villa Angela, fellas from Monday Club, they are emphatic that former Mayor Ed Pamintuan will stage a comeback. Majority of my friends who came from different background are advancing their own political theories but are unanimously saying that only Pamintuan can do a decent face off with Mayor Pogi.
In the meanwhile, talks are ripe that former Philippine National Police General Oscar "Oca" Albayalde will enter the political arena and will oppose incumbent Congressman Jonjon in the first congressional district. For those uninformed, Albayalde is a resident of Barangay Malabanas, one of the biggest villages where the barangay captain, Jumong Gueco is the village chief. Gueco was a former Lazatin follower. There was a falling out only few months into the May Pogi's administration. The reason behind is only known between the two of them. I don't think Mayor Pogi will send him a birthday cake on his birth date. Btw. To recall Albayalde faced a senate investigation before he retired. That controversy may hound him. He will do a lot of explanation.
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More than a year ago, I wrote a piece about then Angeles City Vice Mayor Bryan Mathew Nepomuceno, who many believes that he was the next rising political star once incumbent Mayor Ed Pamintuan will leave city hall after completing three terms. He lost the mayoral race in 2019. Pogi Lazatin won that race convincingly. There are questions if Nepomuceno will stage a comeback. Even his kin are groping for some answers. The Lazatin camp is comfortable with incumbent Vice Mayor Vicky Cabigting and is a sure pick for Mayor Pogi. Meantime, Councilor Amos Rivera will be completing the mandated three term. I heard he is already doing the round. Btw. Rivera is equally untiring in house to house campaigns, and with his traditional supporters at his beck and call. The vacancy that will be left in the council will open the comeback of heavyweights like Maricel Morales and Edu Pamintuan. The two never lost a council race. More to come.