Showdown: Pecson vs. Lacson
Last Friday, March 25, it was the campaign kickoff for most local candidates. Magalang Mayor Romulo Pecson allowed his opponent, the comebacking a Malou Lacson, to hit the road first. That’s the kind of person Pecson is. Very accommodating. He said yes he will appear in the Capampangan Media Inc. (CAMI) weekly forum. And he did. He made good his promise and he was in Bale Balita in Clark.
During the Q& A part of the forum, Pecson disclosed what his administration clearly accomplished. More investors located in the town. Sound fiscal management initiated. Taking good care of the town’s senior citizens and he even sought approval of the lowering age from seventy to sixty five in order that more people will benefit.
There are 27 barangays in Magalang. And Pecson won 27 votes in 2019 elections trouncing the incumbent Mayor Lacson. It went down the wire, so to speak. Pecson life story is one for the books. For people who barely know who is Romy Pecson, and weren’t able to get a copy of my book, where I featured him I wish to re-introduce him as I know him. I was his vice president when he was president of the Rotary Club of Angeles some years ago.
For one whole year at close range we worked together in rendering community services. His generosity and desire to help others knows no boundaries. I’ve learned he will ride his big bike and motor at least once a month to the monasterio in Tarlac and lend a hand in whatever is needed there. Very religious and very spiritual.
I suppose when God made a man with so much humility Pecson came out. Many friends who know Romy will give credence to the declaration. Romy is Mr. Humble from head to tow. In his life he suffered a lot of false starts. It is a checkered life. He was a monte card dealer in his youth, when he never gambled in all his life. He took automotive course when his hands are too fragile to move a monkey wrench. He was jobless when he got married, and was forced to be a tricycle driver to support a family. God loves his creatures who are humble so He blessed him a good life when his family was growing.
From few kilos of meat, he started in his Marisol Village residence a modest meat processing plant in February 1985.In a short period of time, his meat company, the Roels Food Corporation made good strides and needed an expansion as the sales grew to millions.
He was known more in his hometown of Magalang as Roels, more than his real name. In year 2007, when news spread that he will run for mayor against the popular and well entrenched Mayor Lyndon Cunanan,and the common question among the electorates was,Ninung Romy ( Romy who)? When I learned he was having plans of entering Magalang politics, I suggested to him during a break in a fellowship meeting to make the rounds in his town and if possible cover every square inch of the territory. I warned him that public service is a very demanding job and thankless at that. But he was determined.
He won the elections but was able to occupy the mayoral seat only in 2009 when his electoral protest proclaimed him winner against Cunanan. Years later they became good friends. Cunanan was his campaign manager in the recent elections. It was a smooth sail in his reelection bid in 2010 and breezed through again but lost to Malou Lacson in 2019. In May this year, again it is a showdown. Pecson vs Lacson.
Magalang despite its urban setting now coming from a lethargic town in the fifties, it still maintain its curious little town characteristics. As Pecson is again at the helm, he has to face challenges of a growing town that needs an effective social services for the constituency.