Malonzo snubs Estrada’s Caloocan visit

Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo snubbed yesterday President Estrada’s visit to the city, much to the dismay of other local government officials.

Vice Mayor Oscar Malapitan said Malonzo’s move was an "act of rudeness," breaching "protocol of the city’s top official to welcome the President."

"I don’t agree with the mayor’s snubbing of the President, because even if they are party rivals, he should show some respect," Malapitan said.

Malonzo, however, said that his failure to attend was because of political and personal reasons.

He added that many residents in Bagong Silang were very angry because they thought Estrada would be giving away free rice. Instead, they were given passbooks to avail of discounted sacks of rice the government was selling to them.

"I still can’t forget the time President Estrada suspended me. I also felt slighted that they never even asked me to speak in front of the public. I don‘t believe in him (Estrada) anymore, so why should I attend?" Malonzo said.

Malonzo was suspended for 20 days by President Estrada early last year for alleged graft and corruption.

Still, Vice Mayor Malapitan said Malonzo should have put aside his differences with the President and warmly greeted Estrada.