Councilors seek ouster of Malonzo as party head

Partymates of former Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo in the city council are now moving to oust him as head of the local Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats for "lack of confidence" arising from his alleged penchant for "putting self first" among other things.

Members of the Lakas-dominated Caloocan City council, in a statement issued yesterday, declared Malonzo as "persona non grata" in bid to replace the latter as a party chairman "with someone who can truly lead them and not merely impose his will."

Party sources said quitting the party to force the recall of the appointment of Malonzo’s son to the City Council may be a last resort, but they see no need to quit for the moment.

This came about as Christopher Malonzo, personally endorsed by the former mayor as the replacement for Councilor Eduardo "Popoy" Rosca who died last month and sworn into office by a local court judge last Friday, threatened on Tuesday to "continue reporting at the city hall despite the rejection by majority of the councilors"

"I am to serve the people of Caloocan, not these councilors," the young Malonzo said.

Councilor Henry Cammayo, Majority Floor Leader and spokesman for Lakas members in the council, said they are now considering to hold new elections.

"We no longer have confidence in his (Malonzo’s) ability to lead the party after shabbily treating us (on the Rosca succession issue),"Cammayo said.

The councilor said the party members are now asking how Malonzo can effectively lead when he himself "has mocked the principle of democracy and democratic processes."

"He has only shown utter disrespect for his colleagues in the party. How can you, in turn respect a person like that?" asked Cammayo. He said the least Malonzo have done before going straight to Lakas national chairman and House Speaker Jose de Venecia to endorse his son Christopher was to ask for the sentiment of consensus of the local party members.

"Pumunta siya kaagad kay Speaker nang hindi man lang kami tinatanong. Ni hindi niya pinaalam na may pinaplano pala siya," the councilor said.

Cammayo added that Malonzo did not even consult with the family of the late councilor.

He told The STAR he is consulting with party members on their next move in a bid to pressure the Lakas national leadership to recall the young Malonzo’s appointment by the Palace as councilor. – With Pete Laude