After 13 years I had a chance to visit Angeles City in Pampanga, thanks to the Reverend Father John Henry who asked me to accompany him to his new parish assignment. Actually, I was his driver from Apalit, also in Pampanga, to Angeles City.

As we traveled, I saw election posters and other paraphernalia and I saw familiar faces, including that of General Oscar Albayalde, the former regional director of the NCRPO who became chief of the Philippine National Police. Our companion, who noticed that I was looking at the posters, said Albayalde is running for mayor of Angeles City.

Acquainted with the police officer, I know why he is running for a local government position — and that is to challenge politicians like Lazatin who have been in the city government for decades. I am sure Albayalde is against political dynasties. As far as I know, there have been two political dynasties in Angeles City since 2019.

I think one of the reasons politicians are into dynasties is because of greed for power. These politicians would like to cling to power. We have here in the Philippines a political culture of rotating positions within the same bloodline, effectively sidelining other political leaders and voices. By clinging to power, the chance to produce new and promising leaders would be next to impossible.

The burden is placed on the people. One alarming example is the P500 environmental fee now being charged per water meter every month in Angeles City. Despite being a highly urbanized city, Angeles lacks a comprehensive urban development plan, resulting in inadequate infrastructure and living conditions.

Residents are questioning where these fees go and whether they are truly meant for environmental protection or are they proof of unchecked political power.

Political dynasties often operate with little transparency and minimal accountability. When power is held for a long time by one family, public policies begin to serve private, not public, interests.

In Angeles this reality becomes clearer with each passing term. Angelenos are asking if the city is being run for the people or for the benefit of a political clan.

According to Kuya Arman, public services have been deteriorating in Angeles, primarily impacting the city health services. For example, the Ospital Ning Angeles lacks basic services, equipment, and qualified medical practitioners. Residents claim that Angelenos are dying due to neglect, especially the poor. The marginalized cannot access proper care in the city hospitals and clinics that are run by those who claim to serve them.

I agree with the people of Pampanga that local government officials should prioritize the delivery of basic public needs.

They point to Mabalacat City which does not have a government hospital. They said that if the provincial and city administrations truly cared for the people, their first priority should have been the construction of a fully equipped public hospital.

On 12 May, the people will exercise their right to choose their local government leaders. I appeal to the voters to get rid of the politicians and their dynasties. Let us go for non-traditional politicians, leaders committed to breaking political dynasties.