ANGELES CITY – "Sure win."
Thus said former First District representative Carmelo Lazatin during his advance birthday party on June 21 in Barangay Malabanias here when asked to comment about the chances of Senator Manuel Lapid to win in the mayoralty race in 2016.
Lazatin said, "Lapid as mayor will bring back the trust and confidence of small and big businesses to the city government."
"More businesses mean more jobs -- and a happy businessman invests more benefitting all," he added.
Asked if he will run for congressman next year, Lazatin said, "I can't think about seeking a post now because my main focus is to help Lito Lapid win in the race for mayor."
Lapid expressed gratitude to Lazatin, barangay leaders and other supporters, including City Councilor Carmelo Lazatin, for "believing in me and my intention to help."
"Who would not ask endorsement and help from the man who was never defeated in a congressional race? Tarzan and his father are clean of any controversial issues when they were both in public service," said Lapid in the local dialect. He was referring to the Lazatin's father, the late former Angeles City and Pampanga governor Rafael Lazatin.
Lapid said the advance birthday party of Lazatin at the Malabanias covered court attended by barangay captains Rey Gueco of Malabanias, Bobot Masabang of Cutud and Lyndon De Luna of Pampang, "is some sort of an opening salvo to start to let the people know I am running for mayor."
Lapid said he had attempted twice to run for mayor of the highly urbanized city but it was derailed by his desire to help "a Kapampangan become a President" and other issues related to it. He was referring to former president and now Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"It's now official and final. I am running for mayor," said Lapid, who arrived with his sons—Porac Councilor Meynard Lapid and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer (COO) Mark Lapid.
Mark, a former Pampanga governor, is running for Senator in 2016.
Earlier, Lapid said he will either run for mayor or congressman in the province’s first district.
Asked if wanted to Lazatin to run for congressman, Lapid said, "It's up to him and what’s important is he and his leaders are supporting my candidacy."
Raffles and performances from local and television talents produced a jampacked crowd at the venue of the birthday celebration. Lazatin will turn 81-years-old on June 28 and the celebrations will be held at the Stotsenberg Hotel on Sunday night. (Joey Pavia, contributor)