Asistio drops Cammayo

Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo twitted Rep. Luis Asistio for wavering in choosing a running mate for the coming elections, saying this reflects the congressman’s lack of confidence in winning the race.

Opposition Councilor Henry Cammayo was tagged as Asistio’s running mate as early as last year, but he was recently dropped in favor of a former congressman, broadcaster Bobby Guanzon. He will be running under the NPC banner. "I pity Councilor Cammayo because he was given false hopes by the congressman. Asistio is really insecure about himself because "he can’t decide, who his running mate will be," Malonzo said.

But Asistio denied he was having problems choosing a running mate, and claimed that many politicians want to join him and his party. "There are at least 26 aspirants who want to join me in my campaign. And I’m sure city residents will see that I have legitimate, qualified party mates," Asistio said.

For his part Cammayo said he really felt bad that he was dropped as Asistio’s running mate, but said it was the congressman’s right to choose.

"I can no longer say that I will support him in his campaign but I’m still keeping my options open," Cammayo said in an interview.

He added that Asistio had long promised him the vice mayoralty slot, so he is still in a "state of shock" after Guanzon was called upon to replace him. – Matthew Estabillo