OF ALL veteran politicians in the local scene Tarzan Lazatin has the best options at hand.
He is holding three aces in the political poker game in a manner of speaking.
These premier cards are Rep. Jonjon Lazatin (1st Dist.), City Councilor Pogi Lazatin, and the Kong himself as the wild card. The older Lazatin is not gambling for himself. As the typical father he is deciding for the future of his sons.
Angelenos tend to believe the inscrutable Kong will likely field Cong. Jonjon for City Mayor in the 2019 derby. As Congressman, he has higher official status and political prestige than City Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno the seeded and popular ascendant to be for city mayor.
From the looks of it, while the congressman is more of the silent and strong leader type, (the women always go for) Bryan is mentally superior on account of his being a lawyer. His top selling point is his experience in the City Jall.
What will the Kong do with his other ace, the well-liked Pogi? Depending on the questers he could be Jonjon’s running mate, after all the two belong to the same stable. Either one will make it; or both will win or lose. Depending on the temper of Lazatin the elder, it could go “todo-todo walang preno.” Where will the third ace, surely the wild card go? Abangan.
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The rumor leaks out that Dr. Bong Alvaro, Jr. PhD, former Angeles city councilor and ex-City Administrator now hotelier (Midori) at Clark is interested in the mayoralty. His vast management skills and city hall experience qualify him for the position. He will bring to the campaign sufficient fuel to last the battle.
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The certain issue in the next Angeles elections is the Performance of the Pamintuan Administration. Has it fulfilled its Contract with the People? Certainly progress has come in the city by leaps and bounds. No better indicators of its growing prosperity are the multiplying investments and businesses here and the increased migrants-residents to the peaceful and noble city.
Mayor Pamintuan’s legacy, symbolized by the honours and global and national awards of excellence in leadership and achievements granted him, has set a high bar to hurdle for his successor to continue.
EdPam alone has not arrived to what achievements he has amassed. His most loyal partner, strategist and collaborator to the building of a new Angeles City is former city councilor Alex Cauguiran which the Duterte administration has “imported” to run the affairs of Clark International Airport.
Do I hear news of Alex as the possible successor to Mayor Pamintuan?