ANGELES CITY- The 2019 mayoral polls in this city has so far four names unofficially listed. Of the four, only Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president Alex Cauguiran has been categorical in his mayoral plans, with his supporters already bracing for full throttle come campaign period.
Apart from Cauguiran, the list includes Barangay Balibago chair Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno, and BBI president and former councilor Irineo “Bong” Alvaro.
Punto tried to reach via their Facebook accounts all four for interview on their mayoral plans, but only Cauguiran and Nepomuceno responded.
Former Vice Mayor Vicky Cabigting, who is now Nayong Pilipino Foundation executive, hinted on Lazatin, while Alvaro did not reply.
Asked who would be his running mate, Cauguiran said “While I already have a shortlist, I have yet to make a final decision. Definitely, I shall have a full slate by mid-September.”
“I will run under our local political party, the 30,000-strong Partido Abe Kapampangan, of which I am the current president. Partico Abe is a Comelec- accredited party,” he said.
For his part, Nepomuceno declined to comment on reports he would seek the mayoral post, although he could still run for reelection.
He said, however, that he would announce soon his 2019 political plans.
There are reports that Nepomuceno would have councilor Edu Pamintuan, son of current Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, as vice mayoral bet.
But the younger Pamintuan was as evasive, saying: “Bryan and I are allies and we did quite good in coming out with great resolutions and ordinances in support of Mayor Ed’s programs and projects for the city.
It will not take long before we finally decide on what course to take.”
“But for now, we still have a lot more important things to do,” he added.
Balibago’s elderly Lazatin, who had been several times mayor and Pampanga 1st district congressman, could not be reached but his son, Rep. Jon Lazatin, said he still had “no idea” about his father’s 2019 plans.
“We haven’t talked about it yet.”
The younger Lazatin also said he is headed for reelection for his current post expected to be contested next year by former congressman and basketball coach Yeng Guiao and Mayor Pamintuan.
“It really wouldn’t matter. I’m just here for public service. Let the people decide. At least they all have an idea on how the three of us did our part as public servants,” he added.
Punto contacted Vega, known as a supporter of the older Lazatin, amid reports she was being groomed as his vice mayoral bet.
“Ala pang final. I think co-consider da cu for vice mayor, along with other contenders, and I will run if drafted as running mate of Kapitan Tarzan,” she said.
“The situation is still very fluid but we are open to any possibilities. In the meantime, I am giving my best to my work as Nayong Pilipino deputy executive director,” she added.
1992 start
For his part, Cauguiran also noted that “My career in public service started in 1992 barely a year after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. By twist of fate, I was one of the key officials of the city government during the first and second terms of Mayor Ed Pamintuan from 1992 to 1998 who led in the implementation of rehabilitation projects. Each of us has our own stories to tell during and after the devastation, and those stories are bound by the threads of individual and collective sacrifices.” He said “those sacrifices strengthened my love for our city and my faith in the Angeleños’ capacity to overcome challenges. My present stint at Clark International Airport Corp. broadened my perspective of development not only for the Clark Special Economic Zone but, more importantly, for Angeles City.”
“While there are definitely brighter prospects for our city and our fellow Angeleños as Clark evolves into one of the country’s premier gateways, there is a corresponding social cost. As more workers gravitate to the CFZ (Clark freeport zone), we have to reckon with problems like peace and order, housing, sanitation and protection of the environment, medical services, education, and disaster management. Balancing the fruits of progress and the yoke of social responsibilities are challenges that need to be addressed in the years ahead,” he said.
Cauguiran warned that “if we fail to do that, the gains we have accomplished may go down the drain and the social problems would negate the economic opportunities.”
He furthered: “I see this as one of the biggest challenges that the chief executives of Angeles City and the LGUs surrounding Clark have to face. It is no longer enough that LGU heads be political leaders, they must have both management experience and competence to eff ectively and efficiently respond to both opportunities and social responsibilities of economic progress and development.”
Cauguiran said “there must be a paradigm shift in local governance: from merely political to managerial, as well. What Angeles City needs is a strong managerial leadership to continue the legacy of the incumbent mayor. “
“I can off er that kind leadership to sustain the momentum we have gained during the Pamintuan administration, as we blaze new trails and expand our paths to provide a comfortable life to our fellow Angeleños. I know I don’t have the monopoly to claim leadership of the city government. But sincerity is always subject to proof. I have proven my sincerity in the past. I have proven my sincerity in the present. And I will prove the same sincerity in the future. In all humility and without malice to anybody, I think that is what sets me apart from the other aspirants,” he also said.
