ANGELES CITY – “I welcome anyone who wants to challenge me politically. I am used to fighting alone ever since I became a public servant.”
Thus said 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin when asked about reports that at least two political figures will challenge him in the 2013 congressional elections.
They are Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guaio and former Angeles City Mayor and Congressman Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno.
“But I welcome all support, especially from the people I serve. My performance is my campaign,” added the two-term solon in an interview during the birthday party of his chief of staff IC Calaguas on Monday.
Lazatin said “my focus now is to work and do more significant legislative measures and projects” in this city, Mabalacat and Magalang. He recently led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P46-million Leoncia Bridge along the Circumferential Road.
Calaguas disclosed that Lazatin had filed at least 60 Resolutions and 247 House Bills, nine of which had been approved as laws.
She said Lazatin had pushed for the approval of “Cheaper Medicine Act” allowing the reduction of medicines’ prices used in emergency cases by about 50 percent.
Calaguas disclosed that Lazatin had worked for the release of some P1.2- billion worth of projects since 2007.
“The good thing about it is that the amount was almost divided equally among the two towns and city of the district,” added Calaguas.
Asked for his comments on the decision of Nepomuceno to enter the congressional race, Lazatin said “Blueboy has a better chance in the congressional race.”
“Nepomuceno was undefeated as representative for three straight terms,” he added.
According to two Mabalacat barangay captains, Nepomuceno recently invited them and 13 other former and incumbent village chiefs over lunch and announced his plan to run for congressman.
Nepomuceno was a three-term solon who won as city mayor in 2007. He was beaten by incumbent Mayor Edgardo “Ed” Pamintuan in the 2010 elections.
Pamintuan got 60,562 votes against Nepomuceno’s 34,105. Balibago Barangay Captain Rodelio “Tony” Mamac had 13,875 votes as the third candidate for mayor in the highly urbanized city.
