For the record

IN SPORTS, one championship title does not a great team make. In politics – a kind of sports too in more things than one – goes the same way.

Hence, Angeles City’s Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin – four-term congressman, three-term city mayor, newly elected barangay chairman.

Varied as the elective posts Tarzan may have won, he is by no means the only tri-titlist in Pampanga’s political firmament. As a matter of fact there are a few with four.

Tarzan’s own old man, Don Rafael Lazatin was governor, city mayor, and assemblyman in the Marcosian parliamentary experiment that was the Batasang Pambansa. Apung Feleng might even had had a fourth post – councilor when Angeles was still a town, or provincial board member? That was a time though too remote from my birthing for me to be sure. Maybe our seniors in the media, my compare, the erudite Max Sangil or the writer Ram Mercado can clarify us on this.

In vain, shall be taken the name of Don Rafael absent a mention of his bitter – not necessarily better – political rival that was Don Francisco G. Nepomuceno, himself having served as governor, congressman, and city mayor. Max/Ram can likewise enlighten me if Apung Kitong also started his political career as councilor/board member.

His definitely better-half, Juanita L. Nepomuceno, shared equal power as congresswoman, governor, and Batasang Pambansa member.

Their son Francis aka Blueboy was city vice mayor, three-term congressman and city mayor.               

There is much to be proved yet in both families’ third generation dynasts: Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno started as city councilor and is now vice mayor; Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. is re-elected city councilor; Carmelo “Jonjon” Lazatin II was single-term city councilor but made a spectacular comeback in being elected congressman.

Outside the old lords of the Pampanga political domain, there was Joseller “Yeng” Guiao who served as board member, vice governor and congressman.

And how can we ever forget Manuel “Lito” Lapid – vice governor, governor, senator of the Republic.

Which makes us remember too the bida ng masa’s long-time sidekick, Clayton Olalia – Kabataang Barangay stalwart, councilor, board member, vice governor.

Then, there was Rey B. Aquino of San Fernando – vice mayor, mayor, and congressman. 

Edwin Santiago was unbeatable San Fernando councilor proved himself as unbeatable as vice mayor and ultimately mayor.

Ananias L. Canlas Jr. of Bacolor was variously elected as barangay chairman, vice mayor, mayor, and currently sits as board member.

Teddy C. Tumang of Mexico was barangay chairman, mayor, board member, and has since returned to the mayorship.

Crisostomo C. Garbo of Mabalacat City was councilor, board member, vice mayor, board member again, and now mayor.

Why, Pampanga’s own mother of perpetual assistance, Lilia G. Pineda was Lubao mayor, board member, and governor. If memory serves right, she once served as municipal councilor too.

Ultimately, there is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – senator, vice president, president, currently congresswoman, and, if talks – both loose and tight—be believed, prime minister in-waiting.

GMA took after her father Diosdado P. Macapagal – congressman, vice president, and president. Not to mention president of the 1971 Constitutional Convention.

Sobra sa bigat, sobra sa timbang. It is readily concluded of the multi-titlist elective officials hereabouts. Like thoroughbreds truly worth their worth in gold – purely idiomatically now, lest some malice be imputed here.

What a waste – to the people – then if they get to serve only in a single post. So, they get elected no matter the loftiness or the lowliness of the position they aspire for.

Like Tarzan, yes. And age never matters in this case.