ANGELES CITY — “Ed Pam will not enjoy what he has stolen.”
Thus said former Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin over the weekend, quoting President Duterte’s statement in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in reaction to a declaration of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan during his own State Of the City Address (SOCA) last July 25.
Lazatin was apparently reacting to a statement in Pamintuan’s speech that “he returned P5 million goodwill money” given by a hotel owner in Angeles City.
“Kung hindi ko pa alam, nanghingi talaga siya sa negosyante na iyon,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin has repeatedly expressed his disgust on the alleged rampant extortion being done by Pamintuan and his “minions” from the businessmen in the city.
The businessmen have not lodged a formal complaint, Lazatin said, for fear.
“I would just wait until Pamintuan’s term ends in 2019. Then the Pandora’s box will be opened. I am assuring the Angeleños that Pamintuan and his “minions” will not enjoy what they have stolen from the city’s coffer,” he added.
Lazatin, who served as Angeles City Mayor for nine years from 1998-2007, said on top of the alleged extortion, Pamintuan has also slapped the businessmen with a whooping 300 percent increase on both the business and real property taxes.
“Wala silang kabusugan,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin explained that during his time as city mayor, he did not implement tax increases rather he device an efficient tax collection scheme.
“Bakit kailangan pahirapan ang mga negosyate, e kailangan natin sila para umunlad and siyudad,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin also assailed the enforcement by Pamintuan of the City’s commercial/public general liability insurance, which requires the “owners, administrators, property managers, lessees, occupants, operations and concessionaires of all commercial and business buildings and establishments, which are required to obtain business and/ or building permits, to secure public legal liability insurance.
Lazatin said he is certain Pamintuan is allegedly benefitting from these insurance companies.
“Saan ka makakakitang itong mga private insurance companies, maglalagay ng mesa sa city hall at hindi marerelease and permit ‘pag hindi kumuha ng insurance sa mga selected insurance companies ang mga negosyante?” Lazatin asked.
Earlier this month, Pamintuan said he will not comment on Lazatin’s political tirades. – (Press Release)
Bakit po hihintayin ninyo pang matapos ang termino ni Ed Pam kung talagnag may extorsion na P5M. gaano po ba katoto iyan? Kung totoo po iyan ay huwag nang hintain ang 2019, gagamitin niyo ba iyan as a politics tactic. Former Cong . Tarxzan Laxzatin why wait till 2019? Why not act now, to tell the voters of Agelenios to know the truth.