Things you may not know about Angeles City mayor bet Jon Lazatin
Pampanga First District Rep. Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin, a candidate for mayor of Angeles City, enjoys the company of a resident during a recent campaign trail. (Lazatin Facebook Page)
By Joey Pavia
ANGELES CITY – For Pampanga First District Rep. Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin, respect and love for family are of utmost importance.
Lazatin, now a candidate for mayor of this highly urbanized city, gave up the opportunity to complete his college education at Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) to care for his ailing grandfather, former Pampanga Governor and Angeles City Mayor Rafael L. Lazatin.
“That was the only time I could take care of my grandfather. I was in college at Ateneo then. He was already bedridden, so I had to come home,” said Lazatin, who spent most of his early life in Rafael’s residence until the elder Lazatin passed away in 1993.
“Until today, I still live in my grandfather Rafael’s house. You could safely say I was a lolo’s boy,” he added. Their longtime residence in Barangay San Jose is widely known as “Aslam” because of the family’s vinegar business.
“My parents and grandfather taught me the importance of respecting everyone, regardless of their status in life,” said Lazatin.
Understanding the value of education, Lazatin eventually completed his management degree at Angeles University Foundation (AUF), later continuing his studies at Republic Central Colleges (RCC). He is also a proud product of Ateneo’s elementary and high school departments.
When asked what career he might have pursued if not for public service, Lazatin said, “I would have been a developer or gone into
real estate.” His family owns tracts of land in Angeles City, Mabalacat City, the City of San Fernando, and nearby towns.
Lazatin has three children, aged 25, 23, and 17. He shared that he isn’t a strict parent, saying, “They’re already at the right age.”
“I discipline my children just enough. They know what’s right and wrong. At this point, I give them the freedom they deserve,” said
Lazatin, who first learned to drive at the age of 12.
He is known for adding a personal touch when entertaining guests—often making them coffee with carabao’s milk.
“I know what kind of coffee each visitor prefers. Most of the time, I even prepare breakfast for them,” he said, adding that a health expert once advised him to use only carabao’s milk.
Despite his busy schedule, the three-term congressman still does his own laundry—usually every two weeks.
Lazatin acknowledged the contributions of his brother, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, saying, “My brother has done a lot of
remarkable projects and programs for the city. I’m aiming to surpass the achievements of Mayor Pogi.”
If elected, Jon Lazatin will become the fifth member of his family to serve as mayor of Angeles City. In addition to his grandfather Rafael and brother Pogi, their uncle Francisco also served as mayor.
“Unknown to many, my grandfather’s elder brother Francisco also served as mayor of Angeles,” said Lazatin.
His father, Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, was the first three-term mayor of Angeles City. The elder Lazatin also served as congressman. He
passed away just before Pogi first became mayor in 2019.
Lazatin is currently leading in independent surveys for the 2025 Angeles City mayoral elections. (30)
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