Team Lazatin candidates, headed by re-electionist Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., all tested negative in their voluntary drug test held at the Regional Office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on January 6, 2022.

Drug testing for political candidates is not mandatory, however, Team Lazatin opted to undergo voluntary drug testing to show their support for the anti-drug program of the national and city governments.

Under the Lazatin administration, the City Government implemented several programs towards achieving a ‘Drug-Cleared’ Angeles City, including the establishment of a PDEA Office in Angeles City and the Balay Silangan reformation center for illegal drug offenders.

Earlier, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has cited Angeles City for its ‘highly functional’ City Anti-Drug Abuse Council and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.

Lazatin underwent the voluntary drug test together with his running mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Ma. Vicenta “Vicky” Vega-Cabigting and councilor-aspirants running under Lazatin’s banner – incumbent City Councilors Joan Cyrstal “JC” Aguas, Joseph Alfie Bonifacio, Danilo “Dan” Lacson, and Jesus “Jay” Sangil; as well as new hopefuls Rodelio Mamac Jr., Jezreel Aaron Pineda, and Christopher Joseph “CJ” Ponce.

Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin and Councilors Marino “Niknok” Bañola, Raco Del Rosario, and Arvin “Pogs” Suller shall also undergo drug testing at a later date.

Since 2016, all candidates running the Lazatin banner have traditionally undergone voluntary drug testing.

The current Team Lazatin are running under the KAMBILAN party of Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Lazatin is the President of the Angeles City Chapters of both parties.

If re-elected, Lazatin said that the cornerstone for his second term in his office shall be economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with Health and Social Welfare, and Sustainability.