POLITICIANS are sometimes compared to ring boxers. Like ring fighters, the politicos find it so difficult to hang the political gloves. There is always that strong attraction of being a public figure. I must confess I'm one of them sometime ago. Today I am not entirely closing the door to forthcoming challenges of public service but as much as possible getting back to government must not be via an election. The polls should now be the arena of younger people, and there are several promising personalities who surely will hold the rein in the many years to come.
Rare and memorable exceptions of people whose fervent desire really is to serve. Some achieved their goals, others missed the opportunities. I have in mind people like Rafael L. Lazatin who became governor of Pampanga and Juanita Lumanlan Nepomuceno who with distinction served as representative of the first congressional district of the province. Governor Estelito Mendoza carved his niche as one of the best governors Pampanga ever had. There are others but they can't be compared with the first three. There were who shouldn't have been in public service but I'd rather not mention them.
In today's millennial age, there are two outstanding public servants. If I mention their names, I am sure it will meet wholehearted approval from the majority. They are Lilia 'Nanay Baby' Pineda, the incumbent governor and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo 'Edpam' Pamintuan. The 'Nanay' is the Mother Teresa of the sick people in Pampanga and elsewhere. Pamintuan changed the landscape of Angeles and is the game changer.
Of course there are still loose response of my picks. I can't in conscience include those who are not deserving. In the second and forthcoming batches of politicians in Pampanga they should try harder and serve well in order to be well remembered by their constituencies even when they are no longer in the political arena. I can name some and may elicit approval to some and thumbs down to a few.
In the City of San Fernando, there are outstanding individuals who may stay longer in public service as against their colleagues. My picks are Board Members Ferdinand Labung, Ananias Canlas Jr., Councilors Tino Dizon, Noel Tulabut and BJ Lagman.
In Angeles City, Councilors Edu Pamintuan and Carmelo 'Pogi' Lazatin. In Porac town my pick is Vice Mayor Dexter David and Vice Mayor Christian Halili for Mabalacat City. Digos Canlas of San Simon is in my book. Lubao Mayor Mylene Cayabyab is a xerox copy in traits and virtues like her Nanay. Mexico Vice Mayor Jonathan Pangan is a future material. (More names some other time).
My tweets:
+Under President Duterte's watch, things are moving ten times faster compared to the previous administration. 'Golden age of infrastructure'.
+Dong Gonzales, the poor boy from the laidback barrio of Anao in Mexico is now president of Circulo Fernandino, the club of the glitzy rich of the capital city. He is there more for the social action.
+The four-man team, BCDA President Vince Dizon, CDC President Noel Manankil, CIAC President Alex Caugiran and CDC Chairman Ping De Jesus, spells progress.
