Cong. Carmelo Lazatin vows to end corruption in Angeles City

Pampanga first district Representative Carmelo Lazatin Sr. vowed to end corruption in the City Government and bring back the glory of Angeles City when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last Friday.

Lazatin led his line-up, consisting of four candidates for councilor - Councilor Brian Nepomuceno, Carmelo Lazatin Jr., veteran newsman Maximo Sangil, and Lawyer Nino Enriquez.

The Lazatins, Sangil, and Enriquez will run in next year’s polls under the Lakas-CMD party while Nepomuceno will retain his original party, the Nationalists People’s Coalition.

Lazatin considered the filing of COC a historic event since he was joined by Nepomuceno, and parents Cutcut village chief Cecil Nepomuceno and former Pampanga vice governor and city councilor Robin Nepomuceno.

Robin Nepomuceno fought Lazatin in the 2001 and 2004 mayoralty elections.

The political stalwarts, the Lazatins and the Nepomucenos, have been rivals since the early 1930s.

Supporters of Team Lazatin gathered at the lawmaker’s office in Barangay Telabastagan and trooped to the Comelec office in Pulung Maragul last Friday prior to the filing of the COCs.

“Kailangan matigil na ang pangingikil at panggigipit ng administrasyong Pamintuan sa mga negosyante,” Lazatin said.

He said the team’s priority is to be transparent on all transactions, especially in procurements, biddings, and other projects.

“Kailangan masigurado natin na maging positibo ang cash availability ng siyudad. Hindi kamukha ngayon na as of September 11, 2012 ay negative P11 million ang cash flow ng city government,” Lazatin said.

He added that his administration will be business-friendly and will not impose any increase in real property and other business taxes for the next three years.

The congressman also said he will focus on creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities to Angeleños. He also pledged to implement a more comprehensive solid waste management and health programs.

Lazatin also pledged to improve the education system in the city by providing access to free college education, scholarship to deserving student, more teachers, and classrooms, books, and other needs.

Infrastructure projects will also be implemented in order to attract more business opportunities and investors, according to Lazatin.

He also mentioned his brainchild, the Local Urban Poor and Housing Affairs Office (Lupaho).

Lazatin also vowed to strengthen the capability of the city police in order to respond more quickly to crimes and other threats.

“Everyday is a People’s Day as services to every Angeleño will be available daily,” Lazatin said.

by: Ram Mercado