Caloocan residents urge Malonzo, Erice to stop political bickerings

Caloocan City residents appealed yesterday to the two top local officials to stop political bickering and instead work together for the good of the city.

"Politics in Caloocan is ever alive, but for our top officials to engage this early in political squabbles would be disadvantageous, especially to the city residents," Mr. Sulit, a businessman, said.

A word war erupted between Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo and former ally, second district Rep. Edgar Erice, after the latter scored the mayor for the supposed "state of bankruptcy" of the city.

"If there is political rumbling, it’s always the residents who are in a disadvantageous situation.

Why can’t they first set aside their political ambitions? Elections are too far yet," Ms. Hechanova, an employee, said.

Erice charged that the city government is on the brink of bankruptcy as it is loaded with debts and huge obligations allegedly due to the leadership’s wasteful spending.

Malonzo, who is on an official trip to China, through lawyer Ellen Veza, denied Erice’s allegations and accused the solon of engaging in early politicking as he is setting his sight on the mayoralty post.

Malonzo claimed that Erice is misleading the public for it is impossible for the city government to go bankrupt as it has power to tax.

Malonzo even challenged Erice to file charges against him in court and not turn to media and drag the names of other officials just to gain media mileage.

Erice, however, said that he was duty-bound to expose the alleged irregularity in the interest of the city residents.

"If I will not act, who would?" Erice asked claiming his accusations were documented.

Erice broke his ties recently with Malonzo after learning that the mayor is grooming his wife, Gigi Emnace, for the 2004 elections as his replacement. – Pete Laude