Carmelo Gurion Lazatin Jr. (Tagalog:[kɐrˈmɛlolɐˈsatɪndʒuˈnjɔr]; born August 28, 1969), also known by the Angeleños 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.
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 (PFP)[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 (KAMBILAN),[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 (POGO) 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 (NBI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 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]
Lazatin 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.
