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Carmelo Lazatin Jr.
Carmelo Gurion Lazatin Jr. (Tagalog: [kɐrˈmɛlo lɐˈsatɪn dʒuˈnjɔr]; born August 28, 1969), also known as Pogi Lazatin, is a Filipino politician and businessman who is serving as the 12th and current City Mayor of Angeles, Pampanga since 2019 and was re-elected for a second term in 2022.[3] Prior to his mayoral tenure, he served as a councilor of Angeles City. He is the son of former Pampanga's First District Representative Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin Sr. Early life and educationPogi was born on August 28, 1969 in Angeles City to Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin Sr., a former Mayor of Angeles City and Representative of the 1st District of Pampanga and Iluminada Gurion Lazatin.[4] He is an alumnus of Angeles University Foundation, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Management degree. He then proceeded to Republic Central Colleges to pursue a Bachelor of Science, Major in Business Administration. Then he continued his education at the same institution, earning both a Master in Business Administration and a Master in Public Administration.[2] Political careerCouncilor of Angeles City (2013–2019)Lazatin first entered politics, where he run and won as City Councilor of Angeles City from 2013 to 2019. As a Councilor, he has initiated numerous projects.[5][6] Mayor of Angeles City (2019–present)In 2018, Lazatin announced that he will run as Mayor of Angeles City under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas[7] with Maria Vicenta Vega-Cabigting as his running mate.[8] He was then elected for the first time in 2019 with half a thousand votes[9] and re-elected in 2022 under Kapanalig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pamapanga,[10][11][12] securing his position with over a thousand votes—the highest in the city’s history, winning in all clustered precincts across the city’s 33 barangays.[13]
In October 2019, during his first term, Mayor Lazatin ordered the closure of "Golden Build Limited, Incorporated," a Chinese-operated Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators firm. The company was operating illegally in Angeles City without a business permit and failing to pay taxes for its operations.[14] In May 2020, Lazatin, with assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Food and Drug Administration, shut down an illegal Chinese pharmacy. The majority of the patients at this unauthorized medical facility were Chinese employees of a POGO, located within a 300-hectare residential resort.[15] On May 31, 2023, Lazatin most famous project the "Walang Plastikan: Plastik Palit Bigas Project," became a National Finalist and was honored by President Bongbong Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace. The project earned recognition for its innovative strategy in reducing hunger and enhancing environmental sustainability.[16][17][18] Lazatin inaugurated the "Kanlungan ng Kabataan Reformation Center," in September 2024 a ₱41 million facility dedicated to rehabilitating homeless individuals and supporting youth in need of care and guidance.[19][20] 2025 congressional bidOn October 1, 2024, Lazatin submitted his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2025 Philippine Midterm Election to contest for the position of Pampanga's First District Representative at the Commission on Elections. Should he win, he will succeed his half-brother, the incumbent First District Representative Carmelo "Jon" Lazatin II, who is concurrently campaigning for the mayoralty of Angeles City, with the potential to replace his half-brother in that role.[21][22] Personal lifeLazatin is married to Maria Tiffanee Lazatin and has three children, who are often seen supporting his public engagements. His grandfather, Rafael Lazatin, was also a former governor of Pampanga. References
External linksInformation related to Carmelo Lazatin Jr. |
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