MAGALANG, Pampanga — Outgoing Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. formally took his oath of office as the newly elected Representative of Pampanga’s First District on June 10, 2025, before Barangay Escaler Captain Alfredo Soriano Jr. of Magalang town.
The oath-taking ceremony was held in Barangay Escaler, where Lazatin posted his highest barangay victory margin — earning 70.31% of the total votes cast in the area. Lazatin said his decision to take his oath in Escaler is a tribute to the overwhelming support he received there.
This marks the continuation of a political legacy left by his father, the late Cong. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, who also served as Angeles City Mayor and First District Representative.
Lazatin’s win was officially proclaimed on May 13, 2025, making history as the first-ever Pampanga First District Representative to breach the 260,000-vote mark, garnering a total of 262,517 votes across the district.
In Angeles City alone, Lazatin recorded 122,431 votes, surpassing his own 2022 mayoral record of over 112,000 votes — the highest ever for a city mayor. He also secured 88,707 votes in Mabalacat City and 51,379 votes in Magalang.
“Ginulis tamu pu keng kasaysayan uli na pu ning kekayung alang patugut a suporta. Dacal a dacal pung salamat. Puryan taya pu ing Guinu,” said Lazatin, thanking his supporters for their unwavering trust.
Even before taking his oath, Lazatin was spotted visiting various schools in Mabalacat City and Magalang as part of his annual Brigada Eskwela tradition — a practice he began during his early days as an Angeles City councilor in 2013.
He personally donated 580 sacks of cement, 116 liters of paint, and 232 paint brushes to each of the 58 public schools in Mabalacat City and 58 in Magalang, reinforcing his commitment to public education — all out of his personal funds.
As the district’s new representative, Lazatin outlined a legislative agenda focused on seven key areas:
- Health
- Economy and Livelihood
- Vulnerable and Marginalized Sectors (children, youth, women, senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents, LGBTQ+)
- Environment
- Education
- Transportation
- Barangay Empowerment
“Sa ating panunungkulan, wala pong maiiwan. No one will be left behind,” Lazatin emphasized. “Ito po ang aking binitawang pangako noong kampanya na tutuparin po natin pag-upo natin. Lahat ng sektor ng ating lipunan ay mararamdaman ang ating sinserong paninilbihan. Alang malalakwan king Primeru Distritu ning Pampanga.”
