THERE’S no simple description to describe Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda. Firstly, he is young, dynamic, sharply focused, no-nonsense, simple and generous. Humble despite his status. A dapper dresser but he is no snub. He is so lucky he inherited the simplicity and generosity part of the genes of his parents. The humility, she got it from his mother Nanay Baby. Being focused and dynamic, he got it from his father Rodolfo. He proved his worth as a leader of a premier province in the way he handled the problems caused by the pandemic. His response got the nod from the Department of Health and the Pampanga constituents as well. He dealt face to face, so to speak, the ever mounting pressure brought about by the Wuhan virus. The challenges were getting higher and higher by the day in those past two years as the pandemic escalated in March of 2020. Every Capampangan will bear witness how he handled things -- vaccinations, ayudas etc. Highly remarkable. In short, congratulation is in order. Bump fists.
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Politicians are sometimes likened to ring boxers. Like ring fighters, the politicos find it so difficult to hang the political gloves. Like yo-yos, they keep coming back and only will they stop when the string will snap. But there are exceptions. Former Congressman and San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, former Mabalacat Mayor Boking Morales and former Porac Mayor Condralito De la Cruz are now back in the campaign trail. Apparently, the years of service to their constituents will never be enough. We will all know after May 9 if the love embraced in those past years to them by their cabalens is still there.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is taking another shot in the second district and will relieve Mikey, her favorite son. She is unopposed. She loves challenges of public service. She can be House of Representatives speaker once more. That’s most welcome for the sake of Pampanga and country. Jonjon Lazatin and Dong Gonzales of the first and third congressional districts, respectively, are unopposed, too. Anna York Bondoc Sagum is relieving her brother Rimpy in the fourth district. It will be a walk in the park for Anna York as well. Tapos na eleksyon sa mga distrito.
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MATCH-UPS: It is Tonton Torres vs Joe Mendoza in Guagua. Rene Maglanque vs Aniway Baylon in Candaba. Three cornered fight in Sta. Ana. Ross Gamboa, VM Reinhart Guevarra and Atty. Dennis Pangan. Same thing in Mexico, three cornered fight. Mayor Teddy Tumang, ex-mayor Ernesto Punzalan and Jonathan Pangan. Same thing in Mabalacat. Mayor Cris Garbo, ex-mayor Boking Morales and Deng Pangilinan. One on one in Porac. Jing Capil vs Condralito De La Cruz. Ninang Ronquillo vs John Sambo. Sibling rivalry in Macabebe. Bobong Flores vs Annette Flores Balgan. Mayor Dagi Salalila vs Art Salalila. Rumble in San Fernando. Vilma Caluag, Rosve Henson, Jimmy Lazatin, Oscar Rodriguez and a certain Quiwa. No contest in Apalit, Lubao and San Luis.
RETRO: Rare and memorable exceptions of people whose fervent desire really is to serve. Some achieved their goals, others missed the opportunities. I have in mind people like Rafael L. Lazatin who became governor of Pampanga and Juanita Lumanlan Nepomuceno who with distinction served as representative of the first congressional district of the province. Governor Estelito Mendoza carved his niche as one of the best governors Pampanga ever had, aside from being a brilliant lawyer. He is still very much in the practice of law and I guess, he must be in his nineties by now. There are others but they can't be compared with the first three. There were who shouldn't have been in public service but I'd rather not mention them. They did nothing but stuffed their pockets and bank accounts. They were so poor when they started, now they own houses in separate places and prized real estate.
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SPOTLIGHT: In today's millennial age, there is an outstanding public servant. All past governors of any province in the country will pale in comparison. Former governor now Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda is the quintessential public servant. The “Nanay” is the Mother Teresa of the sick people in Pampanga and elsewhere. She does her job so sincerely and not hoping for anything in return. Her son Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda draws her inspiration and strength from her. Like mother, like son. Super sipag both. No one in Pampanga can argue with that.