A battle royale is looming in the political landscape of the City of San Fernando for the coming 2025 elections.
On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the Pineda patriarch Rodolfo, known as “Bong” along with Pampanga Board Member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab (2nd District) and husband Archen, have transferred voter registration at the office of the Commission on Elections in the City of San Fernando.
A day before the three trooped to the CSF Comelec, Pineda-Cayabyab has tendered her resignation as board member – a move that is seen by political pundits as a major political upheaval that will end the political career of current CSF Mayor Vilma Caluag.
A reputable political kingpin in Pampanga province, the voter registration of businessman Bong Pineda and Pineda-Cayabyab in CSF, had stirred the hornet’s nest – a political move that is seen to end the peculiar leadership of Mayor Caluag who took the public in the front seat to see her dance moves via “TikTok” social media app.
The calculating Bong Pineda has displayed his vast political influence and machinery through the years with most politicians both local and national having sought his blessings before engaging in the political arena.
Political observers are now awaiting for the Pineda matriarch, Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, commonly called as “Nanay,” to transfer her voter registration to CSF. Nanay is currently serving her second term in tandem with his son, Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda.
If and when Nanay tender her resignation like her daughter Mylyn who gave up her seat as 2nd Provincial District board member and transfer voter registration in the capital city, it would be clear as day the Pinedas will wrestle both the CSF mayorship and 3rd Congressional District.
From the grapevine, whispers have gone around that Nanay may also run for CSF mayor against Caluag who is serving her first term. Vilma’s husband, Melchor lost in the 2023 barangay elections.
Melchor, who used to work for the Pinedas in the numbers game jueteng are no strangers.
Pineda-Cayabyab has served as Lubao mayor for three terms and currently serving her 2nd term as Board Member of the 2nd District when she opted to resign and transfer voter registration in CSF.
With 23 CSF barangay captains in tow during the short trip to the CSF Comelec, it may look like Pineda-Cayabyab will clash head-on with Mayor Caluag, now on her first term. At the helm of CSF, Mayor Caluag led the move against the San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company Inc (SFELAPCO) to make a refund of P650 million collected power generation charges. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered SFELAPCO to refund the amount but the pyrrhic victory was indeed short live.
The transfer of voter registration of the Pinedas from their hometown in Lubao to CSF, had apparently opened the political floodgates – the political season is here.