RIDING on the popularity and newfound acceptance of Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales, Mabalacat City politics' wonder boy and junior political scientist, following the footsteps of his mentor, the multi-tierred Balibago Barangay Chairman Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin, will throw his hat into the political ring comes 2019, this time as Vice Mayor to Mayor-aspirant Christian C. Halili, to whom he (Morales) has pledged support and commitment to his word way back two turns at the mayoralty.
This time, Boking says, it's Christian's turn at the mayoralty post as he is already ripe for the same.
The same ebullient and charismatic vice mayor-to be recounts his past accomplishments as city mayor such as: establishment of a hemodialysis center which is patronized by several Mabalaquenos, the birthing stations, rural health centers and city-funded hospital facilities.
His narration goes back to the infrastructure projects he has initiated/encouraged. To him, these have had tremendous impact on the livelihood and existence of his compatriots and considers them as part of his legacy to the Mabalaquenos.
He now aspires to become the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod where he promises to steer the local legislative body to produce relevant and impactful and useful ordinances and resolutions. He has been prolific as the city chief executive, hence, there is no doubt he can be very productive as the city government's second highest-ranking official.
Like his idol Bong Go, he plans to reach out more to the marginalized sector, the sick and the needy.
He dreamt of establishing a college for the city's marginalized and the Mabalacat City College was born. Earlier, he envisioned Mabalacat town as a city and he worked hard to make it a city.
Ranged against his nephew, the perennial topnotcher in the City Council elections, Atty. Gerald Guttrie P. Aquino, Boking is confident of his deep reservoir of supporters, coordinators and sympathizers that he can eke out a victory over his vastly popular nephew. Gerald, for his part, is confident that he can put one over his uncle as he claims that he has had his turn at bat and therefore it is but right that he (Gerald) will succeed as city vice mayor, a notch higher than his present position. Whatever, this promises to be a blockbuster of a match up: a seasoned warrior that is Boking and an idealist charmer and popular local legislator like Gerald.
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Lady charmers Jean and Marge welcomed me at the SM Downtown and joined me at Turks for lunch last week. Jean, the mall's tenants relations officer and Marge, the secretary enjoyed our animated chat over lunch. Thanks a lot, beautiful ladies, I owe you one.
