LAST week, I wrote a piece on who are the shoo-in winners for Capitol (Gov. Dennis Pineda and Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda), Mabalacat (Mayor Cris Garbo and Vice Mayor Geld Aquino), Angeles City (Mayor Pogi Lazatin and Vice Mayor Vicky Vega).
The projections are based on political machinery, surveys (whether random, manual or even digital), logistics and actual rumblings on the ground. Political pundits with honest to goodness observations would agree.
They were also premised on the following condition: no scandals, no criminal offenses, no giant missteps and mistakes. I’d like to think that, God forbids, none of that would take place until election day.
Here is a continuation. For Mabalacat City Council.
It seems like Team MCG would sweep the 10 City Council seats. At the very least, one may be dislodged, depending on how the other camp would fare in the next 12 days of the campaign and push for one candidate that is showing some good numbers.
Jun Castro. From the way things are, this re-electionist Councilor is a hands down choice for the top spot. From 2019, he has learned to navigate the waters well. He has been investing triple Ts which are all necessary in an elective post -- Time, Talent and even Treasure.
Don’t get me wrong now but when I said talent and treasure, I meant the kind of much needed donations for Mabalaquenos. The important ones that include water pumps for farm irrigation and even households, construction materials for chapels and those affected by typhoons, tents for barangay needs (wakes, medical outreaches). The list goes on. Talent means planning and technical assistance as a builder.
As to Time, this man was on the streets when many of us were in our homes at the height of the pandemic. He was dropping essential items like rice, canned goods, medicines right on the doorsteps of one too many Mabalaquenos, just like Mayor Garbo.
With Vice Mayor Geld Aquino, they organized community pantries too. Not just for doleouts but to inculcate in the hearts of many the need to care and share blessings to those who badly need them.
Jun Castro did not mind getting COVID not just once, I was told. It was a price to pay for the service he offered. And did I say price there? Yes, the dividend is paying off now – he will be the next number one City Councilor.
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Cocoy Tiglao – As I have previously written, the pandemic has brought to fore the need for doctors in public service. This re-electionist did not have a rosy first stint as he was plunged into a gargantuan task one year into his election.
But that is far behind him now. He has more than proven a fulfillment of the Hippocratic Oath. He has helped save many lives in the free consults, medical outreaches, and lending his specialty as an anesthesiologist. They were for free in most cases. The pandemic made him shine bright, with vaccination as its oil.
Helping save lives was highlighted one Sunday night when he stopped by an accident involving a motorcycle and a sedan near S & R in Dau. Coming from a family dinner, wearing just a short pants, collarless shirt and slippers, he pulled over and checked on the rider’s condition who was not conscious for few minutes. He administered first aid then called an ambulance that sped him off to the hospital. The rest was life-saving history.
The rider, I found out later, was even my high school classmate, kumpare and good friend, Jaime Dizon of Barangay Sta. Ines, for which he is so thankful.
Spending time with the public alone has already been causing lost incomes as he chooses not to earn money but to earn more respect.
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Cherry Manalo. The veteran that she is, this comebacking Councilor (from being a 3-term Board Member) does not even have to exert effort to retake her post. She is well loved from the time she first emerged as a winner, being an Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman many years ago.
Well-loved that she can get along in any of the political fences. She has had the time to serve with the late Mayor Catalino Domingo, Vice Mayor Moc Candelaria, Mayor Boking Morales during their times. Now, with Mayor Garbo This proves more than just acceptance but her flexibility. The Pinedas are also delighted to have her.
How she fares in the May 9 elections might just foretell the kind of future she has in Mabalacat’s political canvass. Believe you me, she can paint a picture with vivid colors. But the painting has to be so beautiful as would her possible aspirants have in the elections of 2025 and beyond.
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Timothy Dee, Noel Castro, Jerry Magsino. Rox Pena. These “transferees” from the Christian Halili and Boking Morales camp in 2019 need not bring that kind of label they used to have with them just to win.
For one, Noel Castro, a former vice mayor himself, is already a seasoned politician. He was there even during the KB days (Kabataang Barangay, forerunner of SK).
My namesake brings to the Council that kind of wisdom, service and dedication that transcended through the years. He has very good following too. In short, he means business more than just delivering fiery and bombastic political speeches.
Timothy Dee is a sentimental favorite, having been the lucky one to land a council seat. His election three years ago was in honor of his late father Anthony Dee, who, has only the best and noblest intentions to serve Mabalacat. As history set it, that chance was stripped and taken away from his late Dad. And Timothy will never be denied that, not in the way he has been showing how it is to serve the public. Timothy, with his handicap, is regarded as the most dedicated when it comes to handling public emergencies like fire and other disaster rescue efforts. That could shame fully able bodied leaders.
Jerry Magsino found his niche with his “Alang ali” (no turn downs) slogan. This credo is bold and may be hard to match by any other candidate. Such a call would require not just deep pockets but also true grit and determination. And that could only be mustered by somebody who, from the very onset, has chosen to produce and deliver in the name of public service.
Rox Pena brings to the table a unique track record where only a few would have -- environment and small and medium enterprises. While other candidates would rally behind jobs and livelihood, Rox goes beyond those. He is far deeper than the daily subsistence. He is for a more responsible way of earning and doing business by way of caring for the environment.
He has always been in the business circle in the Metro Angeles City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and, as such, would know how to help create business opportunities at home, backyard, a corner in a barangay or even at commercial stalls. A Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awardee, media colleague, Rox would always be a winner.
Carl Dizon, Marjorie Sambo, Liza Pineda. Who would leave these candidates out? Carl and Ate Liza are re-electionists with the latter having been there one too many times before. She is well loved not just she is young looking and a Vilma Santos spinoff but also a woman who has dedicated herself to public welfare. Carl is known to be a champion of sports and the youth. Marjorie has vast following among barangay captains and leaders, women sector. That pretty face she has translates to not just amiability but winnability.
Winwin Garbo and Benny Jocson. No brainer, one can say these are sure winners in as Board Members even without batting an eyelash.