ANGELES CITY – “I am not the problem. I want a status quo.”
Thus said Mayor Edgardo “Ed” Pamintuan when asked by Punto if he would be open to reconciliation with his erstwhile political ally 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin.
The solon announced last week that he would not seek re-election and instead challenge Pamintuan, surprising the mayor and his camp.
Pamintuan’s status quo is for both him and lazatin seeking re-election to their respective posts, as they did in 2010 where they trounced their respective rivals.
A MYSTERY
In his monthly press conference during the weekend, Pamintuan described Lazatin as a “worthy opponent.”
He added that Lazatin “is a tradition, a mystery and a puzzle.”
“Perhaps only Tarzan and IC (Calaguas) know the real reason why the congressman had decided to run against me. Perhaps even IC doesn’t know it all,” said Pamintuan. IC Calaguas is congressional chief of staff of Lazatin and a long-time trusted aide of the congressman.
Pamintuan implied that the age difference between him and the 78-year-old congressman could be a factor in the election. The first-term mayor is 62 years old.
He, however, stressed that supporters of both his government and Lazatin should not worsen the political crisis between them.
‘SUCKER FOR FRIENDS’
Pamintuan, who spoke for at least 40 minutes before reporters could ask questions, said “I am sucker for friends.”
“I was hurt by some friends but when they come back, I accept them. I am like that and you could not change it,” said Pamintuan, who was included in the short and final list of 25 contenders for the 2012 World Mayor Prize.
He added that “indeed there are no permanent friends in politics, only permanent interests.”
Pamintuan said Lazatin “is different” when it comes to making decisions in friendship and politics.
“Kapag sinabi and dinisisyunan niya (Lazatin), ‘yun na (if he had said it or decided on it, that’s it already,” said Pamintuan.
CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE
Pamintuan said common friends and political allies with Lazatin had not wanted what happened between them.
He mentioned Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, Councilor Maricel Morales, former Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president and now Sto. Cristo Barangay Chief Efren De La Cruz, Barangay Captains Rodelio “Tony” Mamac of Balibago and Val Lagman of Claro M. Recto.
“I pity Vicky (Cabigting) and Marang (Morales) when the news broke out that the congressman will challenge me. They looked terrible and very much affected,” said Pamintuan.
He disclosed that De La Cruz, Mamac and Lagman had pledged to support him.
LIKE PATTON
Alexander “Alex” Cauiguiran, the mayor’s chief of staff and long-time confidant, refused to comment when asked by Punto about politics and friendship.
“I simply follow orders. I am like General Patton to US President Roosevelt,” said Cauguiran, referring to the late decorated World War II US Military General George Smith Patton Jr., who had successful commanded troops in Europe, Sicily and North Africa. He sat beside the mayor in the middle of the press conference.
In the same conference, Pamintuan stressed that his government has prioritized the intensification of programs concerning community and public health, quality and affordable education, and environmental preservation.
PRIORITY PROJECTS
Pamintuan said he was able to institutionalize the City College of Angeles (CCA), offering market-driven courses catering to indigent Angeleño students who wish to continue their education.
At total of 376 students made up the first batch of the CCA, said City Information Office (CIO) head Archie Reyes.
He added that 85 of them are scholars of the Pamintuan government, with at least 20 also receiving a monthly allowance of P1,000 each.
Pamintuan said the market-driven courses cater to work readily available at the Clark Freeport.
The mayor-lawyer was able to establish the first Renal Care Unit (RCU) in this city offering affordable medication for people suffering from renal diseases.
With 19 dialysis machines and a total of 5,248 hemodialysis treatments and 170 end stage renal disease patients served since its formal operation in less than a year, it is now believed to be the largest dialysis center in the Philippines.
He added that even the Kidney Center Institute in Quezon City “only” has seven dialysis machines, while the national Philippine General Hospital has 10.
Pamintuan was in Michigan, USA getting additional medical equipment and supplies from the World Mission Relief Inc. for the city hospital when Lazatin made his announcement to challenge him for the mayorship.
Pamintuan said his government had organized “Barangay Day’ twice a week even before the announcement of Lazatin to run for mayor.
He added that from July of 2010 up to the first quarter of 2012, a total of 57,455 medical and dental patients had been served.
Pamintuan also partnered with environmentalists, including San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo “Ambo” David, to improve the state of rivers and creeks and the collection and segregation of solid waste as mandated by law.
