FORMER DOTC Assistant Secretary Rene Maglanque will contest the 4th congressional seat held by Representative Anna B. Sagum, it was learned from veteran political analyst Eddie Aguilar.

Maglanque, a former provincial board member, and now a major figure in Metro Manila construction industry, is being backed up by a wide network of barangay officials in Candaba, Masantol, San Luis, and Sto. Tomas, according to the popular CND columnist.

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While he lost by a slim margin in several Bondoc-Sagum bailiwicks, he has recovered from his last defeat. He has since mended political fences, initiated coalition with former foes, and solidified his resources to give Representative Sagum an exciting fight, Aguilar reported.

The young voters of Candaba will go strongly for Rene, with Sagum and BM Ric Sagmit sharing the leftover votes, he said. Rene is the town's first advocate for Mrs. Macapagal Arroyo's proposed run in the Second District. "We need her in Congress more than ever," he said.

Petty politics

The candard goes around that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose motorcade was caught in a routine traffic jam along the problem Cutcut-Porac junction in Angeles gave City Mayor Blueboy Nepomuceno a one-month ultimatum to solve that traffic problem in his city.

Lener Biag, a City Council aspirant, said that was ludicrous and, if true, would downgrade the President to engaging in petty politics and partisan bias. "With the daily traffic congestions in Metro Manila, she never gave MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando an ultimatum to solve a problem with its endless and complex implications," Biag defended Nepomuceno. The wannabe suspected that a mayoralty rival of the city mayor could be behind the circulating rumor.

Out of bounds

Governor Ed Panlilio should not begrudge President Arroyo's frequent pilgrimage to Pampanga and insinuate that such constitutes premature campaigning (for Congress). Among Ed has been doing his early political orbiting in the province. And nobody accuses him of premature campaigning.

The cabalen will understand both the President's and the Governor's "visitations" to their constituencies -- it's all in aid of legislation, ika nga. Among Ed should be grateful that Mrs. Arroyo has not moved a finger against him, for if she does, he could be out to the Capitol, easily by a DILG/Ombudsman suspension order based on the existing cases filed against him.

PMS to blame

Next time PGMA suddenly decides to "orbit" Angeles City, the Presidential Management Staff, or the Police Regional Patrol Group has only to coordinate or inform the city police director to prepare the way smooth for the Presidential party.

It is the PMS's fault that no pre-arrival notice was given to the local traffic enforcers. That could have avoided a martial law -- type of siren whistles (Wang-wang) to clear the way for the high and mighty "Mabuti pa si Ondoy at Peping nagbigay ng warning sa pagdating, iyong ka Madame wala," a traffic aide reported.

Atom bomb

City Councilor Renato "Ato" Agustin of San Fernando has gained added popularity and stature after being awarded the Coach of the Year by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Baptized by sports writers as the "Atom Bomb", with his deadly firepower during closing minutes of championship games in the PBL, then the PBA, Agustin coached the San Sebastian College Recolletos team to the NCAA championship by defeating the San Beda Red Lions.

The Atom Bomb now occupies a stellar ranking among the top city councilors in San Fernando, thus paving his certain reelection in 2010.

Jimmy Lazatin

Another outstanding city councilor (CSF) who is gaining stronger public esteem is Councilor Jimmy. He has notched his fame in his advocacy for education and community development. Recently, he engaged in environmental pursuits and joined campaigners against widespread plastic bag use by local housewives.

Alex Patio

Topping the best City Council performers is Council Alex F. Patio whose proposed Parallel road along the North Expressway (CSF segment) is a master engineering plan and well thought out land use project. AFP, the famous initials in town, has been credited for the present reforms and innovations in the assessment and evaluation of real estate in the progressive city.

Patio has secured himself a sure place in development planning history with his exceptionally bright idea to establish an alternate road along the Expressway. The next Philippine president will be impressed with the viability and necessity of this vital thoroughfare.

Welcome back Tonette!

It's nice to hear that Pampanga's top journalist, PDI's Tonette Orejas is back in action after being laid down by sudden illness. Tonette's communication savvy has put to the spotlight the launching last week of the "Alang Plastikan" project.

She has formulated and implemented the public relations objectives of the multi-sector coaltion to wage the reduction of plastic use among Kapampangan households. This has made co-convenor Andy Alviz' initiatives, along that of Rotarians, Quota Int'l, business, civic, and elective leaders' efforts, to be organized to improve the quality of life through environmental protection.

The provincial government was represented by board members of Ric Yabut and top SP performer Lina Bagasina who may, henceforth, bring cash doles in the prescribed denim tote bags instead of plastic wrappers.

Now the bad news

None of our youth representatives from the twin cities (Angeles-CSF) has been chosen as Awardee by the SK Federation recognition affair held in Subic, Zambales. Seeing the five awardees in photo, I can swear to kingdom come that not anyone among them can beat our own pretty, smart and high achieving young girls, what gives?

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on November 2, 2009.