‘Lapid eyeing Pampanga post in 2016 polls’

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – An ally of Lito Lapid yesterday confirmed that the former senator is planning to run either for mayor of this city or congressman of Pampanga’s first district in 2016.

Lawyer Willie Rivera said it is likely that Lapid would try to slug it out with incumbent Angeles Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

Rivera, whom Lapid anointed to be his running mate should he run for mayor of this city, said the former senator’s registration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for a change of residential address indicated his plans for 2016.

Early this year, Lapid bought a P16-million mansion at Friendship Plaza subdivision in Barangay Pampang here.

Rivera was a three-term councilor of this city and is a known protégé of former Pampanga first district congressman Rafael Lazatin.

Earlier, Lazatin also confirmed that Lapid would run for mayor and that he would support him.

Rivera said apart from Lazatin, who belongs to an influential political family in this city, the Nepomucenos are also likely to support Lapid.

The Lazatins and the Nepomucenos had been known as political rivals.

Pamintuan, who is currently busy leading numerous projects in preparation for the city’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit here next year, has been perceived as a formidable re-electionist candidate in the 2016 local elections.