Thinking 2019

THE ACRID smoke of battle has barely settled and already some wags are looking forward to the next elections. At least that’s what we’ve been hearing at the local scene.

So, who was it that said politicians think of the next election while statesmen think of the next generation? His truth indubitably established with the one that defined the statesman as a politician long interred. Yes, species gone to extinction, the statesman hereabouts.

Alive, awake, agog as our politicians ever are, fast forward to 2019, so we oblige then.

With tradpol-killer-dubbed Ed Pamintuan graduating as Angeles City hizzoner – with the highest honors ever, if we go by the laudations of Dan Concepcion and Alexander Cauguiran – it’s Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno at the pole position in the next mayorship grand prix. That’s a no-brainer.

But guess who’s being paired with him? Councilor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, that’s who!

Which, in effect, trivializes, if not negates, EdPam’s demolition of the city’s long-running, alternately ruling dynasties: besting the incumbent Blueboy, uncle to Bryan in 2010; and trouncing the comebacking Tarzan, father to Pogi in 2013.

And where will that situate EdPam? In direct collision with the other Carmelo Lazatin Junior – Jon-Jon, the new kid in the congressional block.

Instantly rekindled are thoughts of 1998 when VM Blueboy, personally handpicked by Pamintuan in 1995, ran against him and won in the 1^st district congressional race. The twist is it’s not the Nepo that tandemed with Pamintuan this time that he’d be up against, but a dynast just the same.

As to the Lapid dynasty, with the father Lito ignominiously losing in Angeles City and the son Mark way off the mark in his shot at the Senate, the unholy spirit of politics shall take them back to the home district.

With Gov. Lilia G. Pineda having accomplished her full course, the Bida may just script a Pagbabalik ni Leon Guerrero sa Kapitolyo or produce one for Mark, having served too as governor. Or either of them can contest the 2^nd district congressional seat, with the infirmed GMA having served her last term by then. Best – or worst, depending on the fandom index – case scenario: the father gunning for governor, the son for congressman.

Whatever, a Lapid will most definitely run for Porac mayor with Carling de la Cruz by then graduated. It could be the youngest, now first councilor Meynard.   

It will not only be the Lapids that shall seek a stop to the ascendancy of Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda to the Capitol throne in 2019, deemed as no more than a bequeathal from his, and our, beloved Nanay.  

Notwithstanding his recent public declaration that the governorship is “far from (his) mind,” re-elected 4^th District Rep. Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc has always been known as having cast a moist eye at the Capitol. If only to fulfil his father Don Emigdio’s unrealized dream.            

Come to think of it, there’s really something “Capitolistic” about Rimpy when he’s grounded in some position of strength as he proved when he ran for governor in 2004 after triumphing anew in the 4^th district – unopposed – in 2001. Whence he comes in an even stronger position now after avalanching, absent the formidable Iglesia Ni Cristo bloc votes, his Pineda-fortified rivals Jerry Pelayo of Candaba in 2013 and Junjun Tetangco of Apalit in 2016, both esteemed presidents of the Pampanga Mayors League at the time of their running.

Tagged as vice governor to Rimpy is twice re-elected Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon. That is if the Pampanga’s Best matriarch would not have her hijo favorito make a run for the governorship itself. 

Even given the unlikelihood that is a separate district for Angeles City, ousted incumbent 1^st District Rep. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao of Magalang is seen to have no walk in the park in his comeback bid.

With vote-richer Mabalacat City taking the place of Angeles City in a gerrymandered 1^st district, forever-Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales may just find the compelling motivation to finally get himself out of city hall.

After topping the provincial board contests in the past two elections, all that Engr. Dinan Labung needs to run for the House in 2019 is a waiver from his ninong, Oscar S. Rodriguez, and avenge Oca’s recent loss to Cong. Dong Gonzales who, courtesy of the INC bloc votes, also dealt Dinan his loss in 2007.

Back to the 2^nd district, a Congresswoman Pineda – either the Nanay or the mayora, Mylyn – are sure shoo-ins in 2019.

But then, GMA anointing either unica hija Luli or former Cong. Mikey is being poised, at this early, as a strong probability, given the need to preserve what little remains of the political stock still obtaining in the Macapagal name.  

With all these scenarios already being bandied about, is it still too early to talk politics?

Why, the elections are already a week short of three years from now.