ANGELES CITY- Political patriarch Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin said he would assist two of his sons who won posts, one as first-time congressman and the other as reelected city councilor, for at least two terms before he finally leaves them on their own.
At the Talk Widus forum held by the Pampanga Press Club at the Widus Hotel and Casino at Clark Freeport last Wednesday, the elder Lazatin was with his sons congressman-elect Jonjon Lazatin and councilor Pogi Lazatin, all in a victorious jovial mood despite the defeat of their allies Sen. Lito Lapid and lawyer Willie Rivera who lost in their respective mayoral and vice mayoral bids in this city in the May 9 elections.
Beaming with obvious pride, the elder Lazatin, seated between his sons, said he would provide them with assistance for at least two terms and leave them to fend for themselves during their third terms.
Jonjon is in his first political term after he defeated 1st District Rep Joseller Guiao in the last polls, while Pogi is on his second term as city councilor.
The elder Lazatin, however, did not say he would fully retire from politics, as he merely stayed in the political background during the last May 9 elections. He has been five-time congressman and three-term mayor here for several terms.
He said he initially had no plans for Jonjon in the last polls, but after several persons, including Angeles Vice Mayor Vicky Vega who lost in her mayoral bid, declined his offer to run against incumbent Guiao, he finally fielded his son. “Jonjon was the last option,” he said with a laugh.
The Lazatins are perceived as traditional political nemesis of the Nepomuceno clan which apparently has no intention to retire from local politics with the victory of lawyer Bryan Nepomuceno as Angeles vice mayor.
For his part, Jonjon vowed to meet with barangay officials in the city to find out their legislative needs. He also said he would look into pending matters initiated by Guiao, including a proposal to transform the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) into an authority to spare it from political interference. The CIAC is a state firm that manages and operates the Clark Freeport but is under the Department of Transportation and Communications.
