OCA’S CHOICE. Santiago (right) and Lazatin make “the team to beat” in the capital city in 2013.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “The next mayor of San Fernando, after me.”
Thus Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez introduced Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago at the observance of the 70th anniversary of the martyrdom of Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos at the Heroes Hall here.
“The next city vice mayor.”
Rodriguez called Councilor Jimmy Lazatin during the same program.
Both announcements drew thunderous applause from the audience.
Even as he kept his own political plans for 2013 “officially secret,” the three-term mayor has in effect openly endorsed his choice for successor in the capital city.
A businessman present at the affair described Rodriguez’s declaration of Santiago and Lazatin as “all too serious and sounding with the strongest of conviction.”
No other member of the city council was present at both the wreath-laying ceremony at the Abad Santos monument in the early morning of Wednesday and at the program that followed.
“Maybe the councilors, especially those aspiring for vice mayor, knew beforehand that the Abad Santos Day rites would serve as the soft launching of the Santiago-Lazatin tandem,” a city hall official said.
Councilor Alex Patio is said to be considering the vice mayorship while Councilor Renato Agustin has already appended the tell-tale “VM-2013” in his seasonal streamers and tarpaulins strewn along major roads in the city.
Board Member and former City Councilor Rolly Macalino is also reported ready to enter the vice mayoralty race.
“Oca is forced-to-good with Santiago with his archenemy Dr. Rey Aquino seeking a political comeback,” said a member of one of the Masonic lodges present. “He cannot afford an Aquino win as this would put a shadow of doubt to all the allegations that the doctor mismanaged the city during his watch.”
Rodriguez’s endorsement of Santiago and Lazatin is believed to have made the tandem “the team to beat” this early.
