Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., who is vying for the position of Pampanga First District Representative in the coming National and Local Election, has further solidified his foothold in Angeles City for his campaign, as he gains the support of all 33 incumbent Barangay Captains and 262 out of all 264 incumbent Barangay Kagawad in this city.
In the whole First District of Pampanga, comprising of the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat, and the town of Magalang, 86 out of 87 Barangay Captains and 691 out of 696 Barangay Kagawad have already pledged their support for Lazatin’s candidacy.
Further, with the withdrawal of his opponent, Lazatin now stands unopposed in the First District of Pampanga.
“Noon pa po, talagang sa Lazatin po ako dahil nakita ko kung paano sila magserbisyo sa bayan,” said Kagawad Nancy Susan of Barangay Agapito Del Rosario.
“Masaya po akong babalik sa pagsuporta sa Lazatin,” said Kagawad Ronel Tulio of Pulungbulu.
“Kahit po hindi kami naging magkakampi sa nakalipas na eleksyon, hindi ko po maitatanggi na si Cong Pogi ay naging napakahusay sa panunungkulan bilang Mayor. Kaya naman masaya po ako na makabalik sa pagsuporta kay Cong Pogi,” Tulio added.
“Ikit ku mismu keng balen ning Angeles kung makananu yang tinipa, memasyal, at pintalan deng mangailangan. Nung ikwa na kaming luguran at lingapan, mas agawa na keti keng mumuna a distritu ning Pampanga,” said Danilo Nacu, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Angeles City.
June Marimla, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Magalang Municipality, also expressed the support of the barangay captains of Magalang for Lazatin.
“Ikami pung kapitan manungkulan keti Magalang, tatalakad kami pu kang Mayor ‘cong’ Pogi. Bista man pu e mi ya pa akautos keng pamanungkulan, ikami pu ing kumpyansa mi, ing tiwala mi, atsu ya pu kaya,” said Marimla.
Rey Pineda, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Mabalacat City, echoed the same sentiments and declared support for Lazatin.
“Ikami pu kening Mabalacat City, kayabe da pu reng buong pwersa da reng barangay council, kapitan, susuporta kami pu nung nanu man pu itang kekayung paglaban keng kekatamung distritu,” Pineda said.
In Angeles City, 42 former Barangay Captains and 369 former Barangay Kagawad have also pledged their support for Lazatin’s candidacy.
“All-out ang aking support para sa mga Lazatin dahil alam ko naman ang nagawa nila para sa Angeles City at sa First District,” said Orlando ‘Orling’ Angeles, who served as Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President from 1994 to 1997.
Lazatin first announced his intent to run for Pampanga First District Representative on June 28, 2024, in front of some 1,800 guests at the Magalang Plaza, Magalang Municipality — the biggest political event in the history of the Pampanga First District in terms of logistics and preparation to date.
The event was attended by political leaders of the First District of Pampanga, including Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda.
During his declaration, Lazatin unveiled his legislative agenda, highlighting seven main areas: Health; Economy and Livelihood; Vulnerable and Marginalized Sectors (Children, Youth, Women, Senior Citizens, Persons with Disability (PWDs), Solo Parents, and LGBTQ); Environment; Education; Transportation; and Barangays.
According to Lazatin, his legislative agenda shall follow a basic tenet – ‘ALANG MALAKWAN’ – focusing on delivering public services to all sectors from all walks of life.
“Isa lang po ang sineseguro natin. Sa ating panunungkulan, wala pong maiiwan. No one will be left behind,” Lazatin said, “Ito po ang aking bibitawang pangako — ang lahat ng sektor ng ating lipunan ay mararamdaman ang ating sinserong paninilbihan.”
To date, Lazatin is the most awarded City Mayor of Angeles, having received 29 City awards and five personal awards since he assumed office in 2019.