Angeles City Vice Mayor Ma. Vicenta “Vicky” Vega-Cabigting on November 3 said that the silence of Councilor Amos Rivera on the issue of “kulang siya sa utang na loob” to former Pampanga First District Representative and three-time Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin is admission enough.

“He is mum on the issue because he is unable to admit that it was Mayor Tarzan Lazatin who gave him his break in public service,” Vega-Cabigting said, “However, his silence is admission enough.”

In a meeting with Sangguniang Kabataan councilmembers and chairpersons on October 28, Vega-Cabigting described Rivera as “kulang sa pagtanaw ng utang na loob,” citing how Rivera started his public service career under the Lazatin administration and was given the opportunity to become chief of the Local Urban Poor Affairs and Housing Office (LUPAHO) when he was appointed by Lazatin, a position Rivera held until 2007.

The notion of ‘utang na loob’ or debt of gratitude is a prevalent value among Filipinos. Filipino psychology explains that this is a reflection of the ‘kapwa’ orientation of shared personhood or shared self, which is at the core of the Filipino values system.

“The generosity of the Lazatins to the family of Councilor Amos Rivera is immeasurable,” Vega-Cabigting said.

Rivera’s older brother, Atty. Willie Rivera, is currently serving as the City Administrator of Lazatin’s son, incumbent Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., whom Rivera is running against.

Meanwhile, Vega-Cabigting said that Rivera’s twin brother, Henry Rivera, also currently holds a permanent position in the Angeles City LGU as Administrative Officer V. He started his career in the Angeles City LGU as a Casual Employee in 1998 and was first given a permanent position in 2002 as Local Revenue Collection Officer I under then Mayor Tarzan Lazatin.

“A lot of people went on to become successful in their public service careers thanks to being given the opportunity and being mentored by Mayor Tarzan,” Vega-Cabigting said, “I can hold my head high and say that I am one of them.”

“Councilor Amos Rivera will not be able to say that he is not one of those people,” she added.

Rivera started his public service career in 1998 as Community Affairs Officer I when he was appointed by then Mayor Tarzan Lazatin as a casual employee of the Mayor’s Office. A year later, he was promoted to Community Affairs Officer II.

In 2002, he was given a permanent position as Community Affairs Officer II, before being promoted as Community Affairs Officer III in 2005.

Then a neophyte in the government, Rivera was given opportunity to serve as officer in charge of the LUPAHO when he was appointed by Lazatin in 2001, after his brother Atty. Willie Rivera ran for Pampanga First District Representative under Lazatin’s banner.

In 2006, Rivera was appointed by Lazatin as Executive Assistant III, a permanent position with Salary Grade 22 or equivalent to chief of office. Under the Lazatin administration, Rivera held his position as officer in charge of LUPAHO until 2007.