Pinedas back VM Aquino, leave Garbo in the dustbin
ANGELES CITY – A classic history repeats itself. Mabalacat Mayor Crisostomo Garbo has done a “Boking Morales,” with his political umbilical cord effectively cut by the influential Pineda political clan.
Political kingpin, Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda first severed ties with Morales in 2016 – after serving three full terms, when he filed his last candidacy and won. However, in 2017, the Commission on Elections en banc canceled Morales’ candidacy. Garbo was then proclaimed as mayor for having the second highest number of votes.
Pinedas endorsed Garbo in the following three elections. In the 2022 elections, Garbo and Vice Mayor Gerald Guttrie Aquino, together with their 11 councilors ran under Kambilan – a Pineda political party, and swept the 2022 elections in clean slate.
Aquino, last July 5, was flown in by a helicopter and met Pineda at Pradera Verde in Lubao. This was Aquino’s third meeting with Pineda, a source said.
A recent photo of Pineda and Aquino giving a thumbs-up gesture, suggesting an agreement or approval, has circulated widely online.
Political observers believe Aquino will run for mayor together with Councilor Jun Castro as vice mayor for the 2025 elections.
Castro, in April 2023, filed a complaint before the Ombudsman against Garbo, Aquino, the 11 councilors, as well as the city treasurer over alleged grave misconduct, graft and corruption in connection with the acquisition of land and construction of a proposed P2.1 billion five-story government center project.
The buzz is, Garbo was sidelined by Pineda due to the alleged cases filed by Castro.
The influential Pineda may be driving an upcoming political maneuver in Mabalacat City to reshape local governance dynamics as the election season draws nearer.
In April, Pineda and his daughter, Mylyn together with her husband Archen, transferred their voter registration from Lubao town to the City of San Fernando. Mylyn resigned as provincial board member prior to her transfer. Two weeks later, Pineda’s wife, Vice Governor Lilila also transferred her voter registration to Pampanga’s capital.
No official statement was issued from Pineda and Aquino after the four private meetings held at Pradera Vera in Lubao.