Former congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin has “praised” Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan for ‘doing a great job in depleting and consuming all the resource sand coffers of the government for his personal gains.”
But, Pamintuan’s camp only brushed off Lazatin’s statements saying that the people of Angeles City have already spoken when the 2012 top 8 world mayor trounced Lazatin in 2013 and that there better things to do than comment on the former congressman’s tirades.
Lazatin, who served the Pampanga’s first district for 26 years, has earlier declared his serious intention of running for Angeles City Mayor in 2019.
Corruption issues
Lazatin made the statements after reports reaching his camp quoting Pamintuan last week in an event with city’s barangay captain saying that “Lazatin did nothing for the progress of Angeles City.”
Lazatin also quoted Pamintuan as saying that former “is nothing but a trapo (traditional politician).”
“Kaya nga tayo ang gusto nating pahabulin sa susunod dito sa Angeles ay iyong mga bata na, dahil gusto nating tuluyangmawala mga trapo,” Lazatin quoted Pamintuan.
Lazatin said he has “admired” Pamintuan for his heart and dedication not to public service but to corruption.
“I have nothing but all praises to Mayor Pamintuan for his propaganda efforts of his alleged numerous accomplishments but the truth is he is just amassing wealth for himself during his entire term in public office,” Lazatin said.
Mayor Pamintuan, also president of the League of Cities of the Philippines and Central Luzon Regional Development Council chairman, refused to comment on Lazatin’s political tirades.
“[We will] not comment on his political tirades as there are much important things to work on, like the fight against illegal drugs and terrorism, and the delivery of quality education and better health and social services for the Angeleños,” Pamintuan said in a statement.
Lazatin pointed out that as of to date, millions worth of vouchers of payables have remained unpaid by the city government despite its P1.7 Billion annual budget.
Lazatin said instead of paying the obligations, Pamintuan is using the city’s budget for payroll of his 8,000 ghost employees.
“Kaya madaming hindi nababayaran na supplier ang city hall, ninanakaw nila ang pera,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin also cited the millions of pesos in kickbacks Pamintuan is pocketing from the garbage hauling to and from the landfill in Montalban in Rizal.
“Previous contracts from this hauler have not been ratified by the City Council,” he said.
Lazatin also said pointed out the flagship projects of Mayor Pamintuan such as the P16 million fountain in front of Museo Ning Angeles and the multi-million Heritage District Project, which cost the city millions of pesos are all overpriced.
“I am sure with such an overpriced project, Pamintuan also pocketed millions of SOP as well,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin said Pamintuan is the only city mayor of Angeles City who has no legitimate business under his name but yet his lifestyle will show that he has become such a wealthy man.
“Saan nanggaling ang yaman ng Mayor na ito? Sa kaban ng bayan? Paano ka yayaman na wala ka namang negosyo?” Lazatin said, “Ginawang negosyo ang kaban ng bayan!”