Ex-Pampanga solon, ‘Tarzan,’ dies at 84

Former Pampanga Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin died of cardiopulmonary failure on Wednesday, according to his sons, Rep. Carmelo Lazatin II and Angeles City Councilor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. He was 84.

Lazatin, son of the late Gov. Rafael Lazatin, first served as Pampanga first district representative from 1987 to 1998 and again from 2007 to 2013. He served as Angeles City mayor from 1998 to 2007.

After the Mt. Pinatubo eruptions in 1991, Lazatin helped put up resettlement sites in Mabalacat and Angeles cities and Magalang town.

He also authored Republic Act No. 10164 that converted Mabalacat into a component city.

Lazatin is survived by his wife Iluminada and children Ma. Theresa, Janet Rita, Carmelo Jr., Leiah, Cludelle, Pamela, Carmelo II, Ma. Christina and Camille. —Tonette Orejas