Sangil: The Floreses of Macabebe

LET me list here in this space the more interesting political contests around Pampanga. It is because local politics in Pampanga is warming up this early. Let me start in Macabebe. The Floreses are still feuding, according to my sources. Incumbent Mayor Bobong Flores wasn’t able to convince her younger sister, the former mayor Annette F.Balgan to allow him to continue finishing his three terms. According to reports, Mrs. Balgan wanted to have her son run as vice mayor in tandem with Bobong’s son if the latter will retire and allow the younger Floreses to take the reins of government in their town. The patriarch of the family the late Mayor Domingo Flores must be proud that his family was able to continue his small "dynasty."

Tatang Inggo as friends and kins addressed the old man Flores started his political career as vice mayor of the town in the early fifties. The mayor then, the late Geronimo Enriquez aka Hitler was owner of the ala Mallorca Pambusco, one of the biggest transportation companies in the country only served two years of his mandated four-year term, thus, it paved the way for Domingo Flores to become town executive for several decades. He won elections after elections.

This is persisting. There are whispers that former Mayor Oscar Rodriguez is giving a deep thought about making a comeback since the incumbent Edwin Santiago is completing the three terms. If he will throw his hat in the San Fernando mayoral race he will complete a square, an otherwise three-cornered fight. (To recall, Rodriguez preferred to oppose his inaanak (godson) Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales in a congressional race instead of him running for mayor. Unfortunately, to his much surprise, Gonzales won. Rodriguez was forced to take a garden leave). Provincial Board Member Rosve Henson is now mending political fences and making the rounds and wishes again to make a run in the 2022 mayoral race. He once made a run for the mayorship sometime ago but Dr. Rey Aquino won that race. Businesswoman Vilma Caluag presently a member of the city council will make a second attempt. She polled the last time more than 50,000 votes. Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin will complete the cast.

Angeles and Mabalacat politics was seemingly quiet in the first quarter of this year. Not anymore. Councilor Amos Rivera who is no longer eligible for re-election made his intention to oppose incumbent Mayor Pogi Lazatin. Early on, every once in a while though we heard murmurs from certain groups that former Angeles Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan will come out from retirement and will attempt to get back to city hall. But Edpam is still mum about it. Pogi Lazatin, the incumbent mayor made his mark in his first term. It will be interesting to witness again a face-off between a Pamintuan vs. Lazatin. The last time was in 2013 when Pamintuan won against then Carmelo Tarzan Lazatin. Many viewed that contest as an upset.

Other interesting contests in the forthcoming elections will be in Porac. Incumbent Jing Capil vs Mike Tapang. It will change the landscape if former Mayor Condralito Dela Cruz will stage a comeback. Former Mayor Malou Paras Lacson will face again Mayor Romy Pecson. Expectedly the race will go down the wire once again. In Mabalacat, talks are also ripe that the long-serving ex-Mayor Marino Boking Morales will be in the mayoral race next year. In Sto. Tomas, former Mayor John Sambo has rolled sleeves with Congressman Rimpy Bondoc in tow in an attempt to unseat incumbent Mayor Ninang Ronquillo. More about them in forthcoming issues.

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