Well as commonly said: The smoke of the political battle have already subsided. Not yet in the City of San Fernando. Observations made by my two friends, Tonette Orejas of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Alexander Caugiran of Angeles City said the outcome defies the norm. The results from the mayor, vice mayor and specially the sweep by the ten council bets besting even incumbent and highly popular councilors in their own turfs is doubtful. A protest was filed last week by lawyers of candidate Mylin Pineda Cayabyab with the objective to truly find if there was manipulation. Abangan.
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They’re damn lucky, said my coffee crony who spent years in the USA and now settled for good in Angeles because he ‘can no longer stand President Donald Trump.‘ He is referring to re-elected Senator Lito Lapid, the gentleman from Porac and Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin who breezed thru in his congressional bid in the first district because no one dared running against him. In Angeles City, Congressman Jonjon Lazatin won vs former Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde.
Mabalacat Mayor Cris Garbo, according to my informant, traveled to Singapore and maybe licking his wounds after defeated by Geld Aquino. Michael Galang won handily in Florida Blanca while Art Salalila was trounced by Renan Calo.The Floreses were unbeatable in Macabebe. Father and son faced no opposition. My long time friend Bobong Flores is the most senior among all local executives in Pampanga. In Porac, controversial Mayor Jing Capil defeated Mike Tapang but the nagging question is if can overcome his disqualification case. Over in Sto. Tomas, newbie Dong Ronquillo failed to unseat incumbent Mayor John Sambo. Dong’s mom Ninang Gloria was elected vice mayor.
My friend Mayor-elect Jeff M Luriz ended the Alejandrinos grip of Arayat. My Cumpareng Dinan Labung garnered overwhelming votes against his opponents. The issue of him being not from Sta. Ana didn’t favor the other candidates. The Baylons failed once more to gain a foothold in their hometown Candaba. Aniway was vanquished by the likeable and foxy Rene Maglanque and the Danilo Baylon- Among Ed Panlilio tandem failed also to beat the well entrenched and likeable Nanay Baby Pineda and her son Dennis aka Delta. In Magalang it was a close fight between Malou Lacson vs Romy Pecson. The former prevailed. As a consolation, Romy’s son Eller defeated Norman Lacson in the vice mayoral race. Mayors Esmie Pineda and Tonton Torres of Lubao and Guagua got re-elected. In some towns like Apalit and Minalin the re-electionists faced no opposition.
Where others failed, this amiable individual made his way to the House of Representatives. Known politicians, the likes of ex-Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and his Abeka failed in his attempt. Sasmuan Mayor Lina Bagasina won the first time but in her second try. Agapito Guanlao of Butil was given the door after serving for a while. Now in our Wednesday Club, the least among us whose voice will be resonating in the congress hall is my amiable friend. ‘Palakpakan na may kasamang sigawan’! Congratulations to Ferdinand ‘Ferdie’ Beltran who became the fifth congressman coming from Pampanga. His party list Magbubukid garnered more than 310 thousand votes. He is the first nominee.
NOTES: Revamp isn’t exclusive to government. President Bongbong Marcos shuffled line department and agency officials, retaining some and gave pink slips to some. In the diocese here, the parish priests got new assignments. In our Lord Transfiguration parish in Sto. Domingo, Fr. Deo Galang was transferred from Barangay Sapangbato relieving well loved Fr. Sol Gabriel. Btw. Happy birthday Among Deo.