I am one person who never runs out of friends. Very early in the morning there are these guys who buy their coffee at the McDonalds in Nepo Mart area in Angeles City and found a spot in front of New York Supreme which is on the opposite side where they huddle for talks. Mostly about local events. Every now and then I have coffee with them. Then in the afternoon there’s another group in the SM Telabastagan and the coffee session will last almost four hours. Same topic like those from the morning guys.All these two gatherings are on a daily basis.
On Mondays, I have my MONDAY CLUB at Ribeye restaurant. This group was started in 1992 and not even the pandemic can stop it. My TUESDAY CLUB sa Lalam Manga on Apo Road near my residence in Barangay Sto. Domingo is mostly composed of my neighbors. The WEDNESDAY CLUB was started in 2003 and each of the 18 members are obligated to host on rotation and to pick expensive restaurants around the city, in Clark or anywhere in Pampanga. Thursday is exclusive for my Rotary meetings at the Rotary Club of Angeles. Friday? Guess na lang kayo where I will be going. Weekends reserved for family. Ah! The good life.I am one person seizing every moment, never silent, never despairing, cheering friends and telling them all sorts of stories. Aside from sex jokes we talk a lot about local politics.
This is one of the topics. It’s about former Mayors Edgardo Pamintuan of Angeles City and Marino ‘Boking’ Morales of Mabalacat City who have many things in common. To recall, both were unbeatable in their turf in their early political ventures. Pause for a while. I am definitely positive that the two miss seated on the executive chairs in their offices, barking orders, listening to pleas of constituents and presiding in their conference rooms. There’s an infinite delight in making decisions and everyone follows. Question: Are the two thinking or planning of resurrecting their political careers. Based on their body languages, Edpam can no longer hear the clarion call but Boking Morales may be plotting a last try. He still has gas in his tank’. He may not match the wealth now of incumbent Mayor Cris Garbo but he has I presume still have some funds left. No conclusion yet.
As far as Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is concerned he is happy now being chairman of the state owned Clark Development Corporation. His recent reappointment is a clear declaration of his permanent retirement from politics. Besides his wife Herminia would prefer that he does his ‘apostolic’ duties.
I clearly remember how Edpam first got the attention of the Angeles constituency. He was the running mate of then Antonio Abad Santos aka Bubusok in the 1988 local elections. Both won, including me who placed fourth among the winning councilors . Remember the names like Ric Zalamea, Pacito Pabalan, Lito Ganzon, Penggot Del Rosario, Charlie Sandico, Magno Pangilinan, Marriane Dayrit, Lorenzito Buan? All winners in the 1988 polls.
Meanwhile, Boking Morales lost his grip in the Mabalacat politics after many years in the municipio through technicality. He was unseated and instead Crisostomo Garbo who placed poorly third in the mayoral race became mayor following a success in litigation. If I remember it correctly, it was lawyer George Garcia who is presently chairman of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) who lawyered for Garbo.