Lapid keen on running for Angeles mayor

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Gov. Lito Lapid’s "highest ambition" is to become vice president of the Philippines, but for the moment, his political plans are focused on running for mayor of Angeles City.

But provincial administrator Benalfre Galang, one of his closest advisers, admitted yesterday that he is now prodding Lapid to accept the offer of presidential political adviser Gabby Claudio to join the senatorial slate of the Lakas-CMD in next year’s elections.

The other day, Lapid told a TV interview that he was considering running for vice president and that he was reluctant to run for senator because he does not speak English well. Lapid finished only high school.

"He could have said that in jest, but he could also have said that seriously," Galang told The STAR.

Lapid could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

"Being vice president is his highest goal, but he can now settle for senator or mayor of Angeles City," Galang said.

Lapid, he said, "recognizes his limitations, but the fact is that he has been a good government executive. He feels he is better at being in the executive than in the legislative (branch of government)."

"But we have to distinguish between ambition and plan. While becoming vice president is his ambition, his plan now seems to be the mayor of Angeles," he said.

Galang said the Lakas-CMD is eyeing Lapid in its senatorial slate. But in several occasions in the past, the governor said he was not inclined to accept the offer because of his difficulty in speaking English which he noted is the language spoken in the Senate.

Lapid’s plan to run for Angeles mayor was bolstered when he recently registered with the Commission on Elections as a resident of the city.

Lapid, a well-known action star, has remained popular among the masses, although some Angeles businessman are reportedly campaigning this early against him.

There are criticisms that Lapid lacks the skills to run a first-class city that hosts the country’s geographically largest special economic zone at Clark Field.

According to Galang, Claudio earlier informed Lapid that the governor has been included in the list of possible senatorial bets of the Lakas-CMD.

"I am urging him to run for senator because he is already well-known nationwide and thus, has winnability," he said.

"He is an underrated leader, but he is one of the best bosses one can ever have," he added.