Caloocan’s Asistio to run for re-election

In a surprise move that threw his political rivals off balance, former Caloocan City Mayor Macario "Boy" Asistio Jr. yesterday officially filed his certificate of candidacy shortly before noon at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office.

Asked what prompted him to vie for his old post in the forthcoming elections, Asistio hinted at the alleged fiscal mismanagement of city funds by his arch-nemesis, incumbent mayor Reynaldo Malonzo and his minions.

" Masyado nang marami ang nawala sa Kalookan sa pamumuno ng mga makakalaban natin. Kung hindi dahil sa tatlong ito na makakalaban natin baka di na kami lumaban (Kalookan has already lost so much under the administration of our political rivals. If not for these three people, we no longer have plans to fight in elections)," Asistio said.

He was referring to Reps. Edgar Eric and Enrico Echieverri and city tourism office chief Gigi Emnace-Malonzo, the incumbent mayor’s wife and favored bet to replace him.

As early as nine in the morning, Asistio’s supporters had milled around the Comelec office awaiting his arrival. He told reporters present that he was there to discuss how the elections would be conducted in Caloocan.

"Caloocan Comelec chief, lawyer Elmer Cayanan, has assured us of clean, honest and orderly elections. That’s what we are here for," said Asistio, who filed his COC together with his runningmate, former prosecutor Zaldy Quimpo.

"Sa paniniwala ko kapag malinis ang halalan ay mas malaki ang tsansa nating manalo. Matagal man akong nawala, kilala pa rin tayo (I believe that if the elections are clean and honest, I have a chance to win. Even if I’ve not been around for a while, the people still know me)," said Asistio, who wrote Liping Kalookan as his party.

He added that his sister, Nene Asistio-Henson and younger brother, Luis "Baby" Asistio, both former members of the House of Representatives, are also running again, the former in the First District, the latter in the Second District. Two other Asistios are also running for lower posts.

Malonzo broke up the Asistio clan’s political hegemony in Caloocan, solid for almost two decades, when he trounced Macario Jr. in the 1992 election.

Malonzo got a vote of confidence from the local electorate when he again won over Asistio in a recall election initiated by the latter in 1997.

In the 2001 elections the Asistio brothers switched places. Luis ran against Malonzo for mayor and Boy for congressman in District 2 and both lost.

Observers thought that was the end of the Asistios as far as politics is concerned.

Asistio, early in 2002, told close aides and the media he won’t be running in the 2004 local polls because of financial adversities.

Observers said that Asistio could have been tempted to throw his hat again in the political ring because of the perceived division and animosity among former allies and partymates Malonzo, Erice and Echiverri.