TIME flew so swiftly. Bilis ng panahon. Parang kailan lang. The winners and their followers were all smiles. This was in 2019. I wrote then who didn’t make it stayed home and those who still have some funds left to unknown destinations to get the needed rest after the grueling campaign hustings. The bad losers tried to lick their wounds and tried solving what went wrong. Life is like that. There are people who can take defeat graciously. And there are people who can be magnanimous in victory. In my life as a small-time political figure in the city of Angeles, I both experienced winning and losing. So I know both feelings.
Few weeks from today, the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) will start. 0ct. 1 to 8, to be exact. And up to November 15 is still a window for substitution. Remember what happened in the presidential elections of 2016 when then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte substituted for Barangay Captain Martin Dinio in that presidential race? Up to now I cannot understand why the Commission on Elections allowed that. Dinio filed his COC as mayor, not as president. Well, well that’s already academic, so many water already passed under the bridge. Duterte already stayed more than five years at the palace. For all you know he may run as mayor of Davao City again.
Here are now the prominent names in Pampanga politics. Mother and son, former President and House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her son Mikey. Who among the two is running? Will the son give way to mother dear so Pampanga can hope for better representation? Or the love of a mother will prevail in her heart and see her son rise even more?
The Pinedas of Lubao will still remain unbeatable. Governor Dennis Pineda made a good accounting of himself particularly his response to the pandemic. I have a feeling that his mother, the well-loved Vice Governor Nanay Baby will take some rest and maybe relieved by her daughter Board Member Mylyn.
Another known personality who will not be in the race is Congressman Rimpy Bondoc of the fourth district. His sister Anna York will be in the race instead. The Lazatins, both Mayor Pogi and Congressman Jonjon, are feeling confident. Their political machinery is well oiled and running smoothly. Jonjon is making double time because he has a larger area to take care of. His probable opponent is retired Philipine National Police General Oscar Albayalde who is a resident of Barangay Malabanias in Angeles. Mayor Pogi told me he would be in the hustings whoever is the opponent.
Are they coming back? They are not yet talking. Former mayors Boking Morales, Jomar Hizon, Oca Rodriguez and Condralito De La Cruz of Mabalacat, Bacolor, San Fernando, and Porac, respectively, are maybe weighing their options carefully. Crunching on figures where they still have some hold and those which went to the rivals.
Talking about Capil, he has a clear advantage among all the possible runners at this point. He is still very popular among the townspeople. I remember saying then that It was many years in the making why Jing Capil defeated Vice Mayor Dexter David and former Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid. Dexter’s family is one of the richest in Porac. His lola Servillana "Atsing Biling" Lumanlan David was a successful businesswoman who established the first rural bank of the town. His father, the late Roy David was a well-loved town executive. His sister Fritzie is Nanay Baby Pineda’s constant companion.
Dexter did well as vice mayor. Mark Lapid even invited Vice Ganda and Coco Martin of the popular Probinsiyano TV series. It didn’t work. He was poor third. Jing prepared steadily for the mayoral post. He is called the medicine man. He gave medicine to most people who needed it and even to those who didn’t need it. He solidified his resources and planned carefully with chosen ward leaders. And despite opposition from certain members of the Sanggunian Bayan, he was able to push through his planned programs which cascaded to the benefit of the townspeople.