72-year-old ex-ac mayor Pamintuan says he’s inclined to shun politics, at least at the moment
CLARK FREEPORT—THE former mayor of Angeles City who currently sits as chairman of the Board of Directors of Clark Development Corp. (CDC) on Thursday said he is likely to shun politics and that he harbors no plan to run for any elective position, at least at the moment.
“I’m 72 years old in February [next year]. I’ve been telling everybody I’m not running for mayor,” Ed Pamintuan, a feisty, elderly and popular local politician, said at the Balitaan media forum organized by the Capampangan in Media Inc. [CAMI] in cooperation with the CDC at the Bale Balita here last Thursday.
“I don’t have any plan to be here [CDC], even political [any] ambition,” he said, stressing he was merely persuaded by Sen. Bong Go whom, he said, was persistent on calling him because President Duterte wants him in CDC.
Pamintuan mentioned two local political figures that are likely to slug it out in the May 2022 elections for Angeles City’s top elective post.
“There is Bryan Nepomuceno. Andyan pa rin si [There is still Alex] Cauguiran, andyan pa rin ang kaibigan kong ambisyoso [my friend who has ambitious political aspirations is still there],” he quipped. “The government machinery will not stop because of Ed Pamintuan,” the septuagenarian politician said.
On his advice to the incumbent Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr., he said, I can only tell Pogi, just concentrate on good governance, gawin lang niya ang maganda wala siyang problema [just do the good thing, he will have no problems]. Rendahan niya ang mga konsehal niya [Rein in his councilors].”
“Tapusin nya ang mga proyekto ko tapus na [Finish my projects and everything will go well for him],” he added.
“Huwag na nila akong galitin. Huwag na nila akong isali sa usapan [Don’t court my anger please. Don’t even mention me in political intrigues],” he said.
Pamintuan added that he has no plan to make any immediate announcement on whom to support for mayor of Angeles City in the coming elections in May next year.