CALOOCAN RIVALS SQUARE OFF OVER POLITICAL DYNASTY ISSUE
MANILA, April 17, 2004 (STAR) By Jerry Botial And Pete Laude - In a public confrontation over the issue of political dynasties, Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo and former mayor Macario "Boy" Asistio, joined by the immediate members of their families now in the running for various local positions, squared off last Thursday night in a TV talk show held on location at the Caloocan City Hall Plaza.
Malonzo, over "Dong Puno Live" hosted by lawyer Ricardo "Dong" Puno, said he had no choice. The show was witnessed on site by a stirred up highly partisan crowd of some 2,000.
"Nag-alaga ako ng inakala kong papalit sana sa akin (a choice between former Caloocan Representatives Enrico "Recom" Echiverri and Edgar "Egay" Erice, both running against Malonzo’s wife Gwendolyn "Gigi" Emance-Malonzo for the post) but in the middle of the game biglang nagmadali. What can I do? I was left with no choice kundi magpatakbo ng somebody who is close to my heart na alam ko na di ako pagtataksilan," Malonzo said in an obvious dig at Echiverri and Erice.
"The political dynasty I’m aiming for is a dynasty of more development for the people of Caloocan," Malonzo said.
Asistio, who after getting a trashing in the hands of Malonzo the last four elections, including a recall exercise in the 1997, has neither lost heart nor the will, and is again at war with his archnemesis for the mayor’s seat, said the dynasty issue is over as far as he is concerned.
Former Rep. Luis "Baby" Asistio, Boy’s young brother, now in a comeback bid for Congress after losing the mayoral race against Malonzo in the 2001 polls, said he had nothing against political dynasty.
"I believe it is a public service dynasty. Meron (provision) sa Constitution, but it still needs an enabling law. Bakit aalisan ng kapangyarihan ang mamamayan na pumili ng kanilang gusto kahit ito ay miyembro ng isang political family?" the former lawmaker said.
Malonzo’s former Lakas partymate and political ally, Erice, who broke off ties with him when the former chose to push his wife as party bet, was invited as observer and took a place in the crowd in front of the stage. Erice, who has proclaimed himself as an alternative who can do more, bristled at being called "taksil" (traitor) by Malonzo.
"Yan po ang masama sa political dynasty. Pagkanaglingkod ka sa kanila at di ka sumangayon sa kanila, nagtaksil ka na sa kanila," he said.
Echiverri told The STAR he was invited to the program not as a panelist but as an observer and so did not show up.
A woman from the crowd who was allowed to give her piece noticed the silence of Ms. Malonzo, and asked her to speak up on the issue.
"Less talk, less mistakes," Gigi retorted berating the woman it was a shame for her not to believe in her because she was also a woman.
"Mula pa nang konsehal si mayor, nag-uupisina ako. Ako ang gumagawa ng kanyang mga office papers. Hindi ako nakatago lang sa isang aparador," Ms. Malonzo said. She added that politics was not new to her.
"Sanay na ako sa labanang ito. Di pa kami magkakilala ni mayor, lagi na ako sa city hall kasi nauna na ang ate kong nagtatrabaho sa city hall," she said of her experience.
She was also asked if she had been the brains in the success of Malonzo’s previous political campaigns.
"Kaya nga po naging campaign manager niya ako dahil sa mga nangyari sa amin noong nag-uupisina ang ate ko sa city hall," she said.
When asked what prompted him to throw his hat again in the ring, Boy Asistio said he pitied the small people in the squatter areas. He said he waited for better candidates to come out.
He also said he did so only until after he was assured by Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos that the elections will be clean, honest and orderly.
Baby said he was enjoying his retirement in some place in the US when he was haunted by the plight of the poor in Caloocan.
Echiverri said Caloocan is clamoring for a new direction, a new and principled leadership. "For these, I am offering may humble self to the people."
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2003
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved