No candidates other than incumbent Gov. Lilia G. Pineda and her son, Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda have filed certificates of candidacy for the two highest elective position in the province.
“A humbling experience,” said the governor of the development, “befitting an even greater resolve on our part to work harder for our people.” Walking her talk, the governor is currently moving around the province to check on the situation, especially of communities along the Pampanga River, in the wake of Typhoon Lando.
While the typhoon spared the province, the Pampanga River is swollen from floodwaters coming from the devastated provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora, inundating a number of villages in Candaba, Arayat, San Luis, San Simon and Masantol.
Pineda has urged residents along the banks of the river to move to safer ground as the rainwaters are just beginning to flow downstream into the province.
For his part, the vice governor has mobilized rescue, relief and medical teams of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and proceeded to Nueva Ecija to help the affected local government units.
Love begets love
“It’s all a matter of ‘amor con amor se paga’ (love begets love),” said a political observer who requested for anonymityto avoid “being branded sipsip.”
“The Pinedas have only shown love and compassion for the Kapampangan in all their yars in public as well as private life. We can do no less in return,” he furthered. “After all, we are a grateful race.”
Previous runs
In three previous runs for the governorship, Pineda had suspended priest Eddie T. Panlilio as opponent: losing the count in 2007 but winning the recount protest, and winning by landslides in 2010 and 2013.
Panlilio has since retired to his farm in Bacolor town.
No rivals
The second district of Pampanga where the Pinedas are registered also registered the most number of unopposed candidates.
Former President and current Rep. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo is running all by her lonesome.
So do the three incumbent board members: Salvador Dimson, Jr., Anthony Joseph Torres, and Arthur Salalila. For the second time, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda- Cayabyab is likewise unopposed.
Also making history for the absence of any opposition is the City of San Fernando tandem of Mayor Edwin Santiago and Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin.
