All-woman NGO backs Malonzo

An all-woman non-government organization in Caloocan City, which claimed to have at least 10,000 members, warned yesterday that it will launch a mass protest action in Congress once it will push through with its plan to have Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo arrested in connection with the alleged anomalous Gotesco land deal.

In a statement, Marciana Pilapil, president of Lakas Kababaihan sa Lungsod ng Caloocan, said that the group is giving its support to Malonzo claiming that the mayor has nothing to explain in Congress about the Gotesco land deal as the mayor has "nothing to do with it."

Malonzo said that though the controversial land deal was consummated during his term, it was vetoed by him but the City Council overrode his veto. He noted that the deal was entered into by former mayor Macario Asistio Jr.

Malonzo even challenged Congress to show any proof of his involvement in the said anomalous land deal. "Besides, the Office of the Ombudsman has already ruled with finality that I have nothing to do with the deal," Malonzo said.

Pilapil was reacting to reports that Congress will order the arrest of Malonzo if the latter will not attend to the investigation being conducted by the House committee on good government. – Pete Laude