ANGELES CITY – First District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin has vowed to stay neutral in the 2010 mayoralty race here amid reports that at least three people are interested in the post of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno.
Lazatin said yesterday that he will concentrate “on his turf and he will let the best man win in Angeles.” He disclosed that he will definitely seek re-election next year.
“I have an obligation to my constituents to finish the task at hand. There are so many things to do,” said Lazatin, a former three-term mayor.
But Lazatin said he will intervene once the contenders for mayors give him an opponent.
“Then I will no longer stay neutral. I will also put up challenges to those politicians and aspirants who will help my opponents,” Lazatin said. In the last elections, he defeated Gerard “Gepoy” Nepomuceno, son of this city’s mayor.
Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, Balibago Barangay Captain Tony Mamac and Subic Clark Alliance for Development Chairman Edgardo “Ed” Pamintuan are reportedly interested to challenge Nepomuceno.
Cabigting, who is an ally of Lazatin, has yet to issue statements on her plans next year. But the solon had repeatedly endorsed her for mayor.
Mamac earlier said he will not run for mayor. But his allies said “he is now almost certain to seek the top post in Angeles.”
Ed opens doors
In a statement issued yesterday, Pamintuan said “I will not allow local politics to hamper my objective to finish the rails from Caloocan to Clark.”
He added that he will “also not stop helping our people in Pampanga in delivering services even after 2010 even in my private capacity.”
But Pamintuan, who was tasked by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to head the Northrail project last year, said “I am open to all possibilities though.”
Lazatin said yesterday that he will concentrate “on his turf and he will let the best man win in Angeles.” He disclosed that he will definitely seek re-election next year.
“I have an obligation to my constituents to finish the task at hand. There are so many things to do,” said Lazatin, a former three-term mayor.
But Lazatin said he will intervene once the contenders for mayors give him an opponent.
“Then I will no longer stay neutral. I will also put up challenges to those politicians and aspirants who will help my opponents,” Lazatin said. In the last elections, he defeated Gerard “Gepoy” Nepomuceno, son of this city’s mayor.
Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, Balibago Barangay Captain Tony Mamac and Subic Clark Alliance for Development Chairman Edgardo “Ed” Pamintuan are reportedly interested to challenge Nepomuceno.
Cabigting, who is an ally of Lazatin, has yet to issue statements on her plans next year. But the solon had repeatedly endorsed her for mayor.
Mamac earlier said he will not run for mayor. But his allies said “he is now almost certain to seek the top post in Angeles.”
Ed opens doors
In a statement issued yesterday, Pamintuan said “I will not allow local politics to hamper my objective to finish the rails from Caloocan to Clark.”
He added that he will “also not stop helping our people in Pampanga in delivering services even after 2010 even in my private capacity.”
But Pamintuan, who was tasked by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to head the Northrail project last year, said “I am open to all possibilities though.”
