(Right Move. Businessman Irineo “Bong” Alvaro makes the right move on (chessboard) and in endorsing Angeles City Mayoral Candidate Alex Cauguiran during the official opening of the Angeles Chess Club Tournament at the SM Clark recently. )
(Bong for AC. Clark’s bluechip investor Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro endorses Alex Cauguiran for Angeles City Mayor this coming May election. Alex officially opened the City’s Chess Club Tournament at the SM Clark last Saturday, April 20. Contributed photos)
ANGELES City business leader Irineo “Bong” Alvaro endorsed Alexander Cauguiran as the next of mayor of this dynamic chartered city.
“We must choose the best to lead us in this age of expansion and growth” Alvaro said
Alvaro made the endorsement during the opening of the annual chess tournament of the Angeles City Chess Club sponsored by Alvaro’s Bridges of Benevolent Initiatives Foundation (BBIF) held at the SM City Clark last Saturday April 20.
Cauguiran was the special guest as he opened the tournament by sharing the first ceremonial chess moves with Alvaro.
At the sidelines, Alvaro said he believes Cauguiran is the most capable among the three candidates vying for the mayoral seat of Angeles City.
“Choosing between the three, Bryan is a young and brilliant lawyer, but I believe he needs more maturity in facing the challenges of a fast-rising city like Angeles. The young Lazatin has just entered the political arena and as a neophyte councilor, it may be wiser to consider gaining more experience first, especially in the realm of LGU management. Give them a little time, these two (Pogi and Byran) will be the best choices in the future. I have worked with Alex in the past, even as early as our activist days during the Marcos regime. He has led people to rise above some of the most challenging times imaginable, so I know that he has the passion and the capability to lead Angeles City forward into the future” Alvaro stressed.
“Cauguiran’s multi-generational experience in civil service, up to the tempering he underwent under Mayor Pamintuan is a cut above the rest” he added.
Alvaro believes he is unquestionably the most equipped to take the helm of the city.
“Alex may not have the same name and capital compared to (Pogi) Lazatin and (Bryan) Nepomuceno, but he is far and above them in terms of ability and passion to serve our city” he further added.
Cauguiran, a long-time partner and action man of Pamintuan, has displayed his management acumen during his short stint as President of the Clark International Airport Corporation, during which the airport has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of flight and passenger activity and financial viability.
According to Alvaro, Angeles City is now at the threshold of economic growth never before seen, and the city need a strong, determined and tested leader to steer the ship. As captain of the ship, Alex is the most capable, even from a business standpoint. As champion of the ordinary people, he has no peer among the contenders.
Pamintuan, the outgoing mayor, chose to endorse current Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno, allegedly because Cauguiran “has no chances of winning” against the more famous and wealthy political families.
“It would have been great if all the three of us (Alvaro, Caugiran, and Pamintuan) could have banded together in this fight. After all, we agreed long ago, to make it our mission to to change the political landscape of the city from the dominance of the rich families, to a city that is truly for everyone,” he quipped.
“No matter the chances of Alex, which I will help enhance in whatever way, I am with him not only because of our friendship but mostly for the future of Angeles being faced with the humungous growth challenges as a major city in the Metro Clark’s current exponential growth,” Alvaro concluded.
Meantime, Cauguiran promised to build public chess nooks in all barangays to support the sport, which has produced several national and international masters like the Bernardo Brothers who emerged as the champions during the tournament.
