GMA designates Malonzo as OIC

President Macapagal-Arroyo designated Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo as officer-in-charge yesterday after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over the weekend failed to resolve the question of who won the May 14 polls in the city.

Mrs. Arroyo’s order was hand-delivered by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. who immediately administered Malonzo’s oath of office as OIC. The terms of all outgoing elective local officials expired at noon yesterday.

Observers said the move to designate Malonzo as OIC was intended to prevent a "power vacuum" in Caloocan as the Comelec has yet to resolve a petition filed by Malonzo’s rival, Rep. Luis "Baby" Asistio, seeking to declare a failure of elections. Asistio claimed Malonzo tried to manipulate elections by disenfranchising thousands of his supporters during election day.

Yesterday, a spokesman from the Asistio camp said they will contest Malonzo’s designation before the Supreme Court, saying it is illegal.

Abalos also administered the oath of 10 "winning" local officials under a hastily erected tent at the Bonifacio Circle in Monumento. "I salute the President for upholding the will of the people of Caloocan," Malonzo said after his oath-taking.

In an interview, Malonzo denied allegations that he was distributing to his supporters bogus copies of the Malacañang order designating him as OIC.

Photo copies of the supposed executive order were given out to reporters after the oath-taking. The paper had a Malacañang logo but did not contain the seal of the Office of the President. It was dated June 30.

Also sworn in yesterday were Vice Mayor-OIC Luis Varela and nine members of the City Council.

In a press briefing earlier, Asistio’s supporters, including former Mayor Macario "Boy" Asistio, warned the President against appointing Malonzo as OIC.

"Anyone but Malonzo. Wala na bang iba sa Caloocan?" said former City Administrator Pablo Casimina, who spoke for the Asistio camp.

"Malonzo, as mastermind and director of the manipulations that caused the massive disenfranchisement of many voters, should be set aside by the President. She should consider others with greater moral ascendancy," Casimina said.

The appeal was, however, rendered moot and academic when Malonzo took his oath before Abalos.

Abalos immediately left after the oath-taking without making a statement to the media. But he told City Hall employees that Malonzo’s designation was necessary to prevent a standstill in the administration of city affairs.

Abalos said that in appointing Malonzo, President Arroyo did not show "favoritism to anyone or to any party" but merely upheld the interest of the people of Caloocan.