Malonzo dared to leave son alone

Caloocan City councilors yesterday challenged defeated congressional candidate and former city Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo to let his son, Christopher, stand in his own and do the talking instead of him.

This developed as the older Malonzo kept up his own attacks against his former allies and still partymates at the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats in defense of his endorsing his own son to Malacañang as replacement in the city council of the late Councilor Eduardo "Popoy" Rosca, who died last month.

Councilor Henry Cammayo, majority floor leader and spokesman for his Lakas partymates in the council, yesterday chided Malonzo for fronting for his son, Christopher, who was sworn in last Friday as new councilor of the city, in his alleged bid to regain lost power and influence in the city.

The young Malonzo’s taking his oath was based on a Palace order installing him as new city councilor on the authority of President Arroyo.

Cammayo asked why the older Malonzo is doing the talking instead of his son, who he said, is perfectly capable of speaking for himself.

"This only proves that (Rey) Malonzo is using his son to get back to power and return to the political scene in the city. Ang totoo niyan, gusto niya na namang pumapel kahit ayaw na sa kanya ang mga tao. Kawawa naman yung bata dahil parang nagiging robot siya na susunod-sunuran na lamang sa kanyang ama," Cammayo said.

"Bakit hindi ako sasagot, eh, ako ang inaatake nila!" an incensed Malonzo told The STAR in a phone interview. The former mayor, however, did a double take shortly and suggested a debate between his son and the councilors at the session hall.

"Bakit hindi sila (the councilors) ang mag-debate sa konseho ng anak ko (Christopher)? Pareho silang konsehal, duon sila magtagisan ng talino. In due time, magkita sila sa konseho, duon sila mag-debate," Malonzo said. The former mayor also blasted Cammayo for allegedly lawyering for incumbent Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri, who has prudently chosen to keep himself out of the controversy.

"Takot lang yan kay Echiverri. Nagiging spokesman na siya ni Echiverri. "Wag naman ganyan," Malonzo said even as he warned this paper that he will certainly file libel charges on the slightest hint of malice in reportage. The former mayor also complained of not being given a fair share in coverage. He said what he wanted was "equal space" in the paper.

When asked to comment on his partymates’ plan to oust him as Lakas head in Caloocan, Malonzo told them to read the law first.

"Magbasa muna sila ng rules kasi di lang sila ang partido. Meron pang mga barangay officials, watchers, may listahan pa ako ng mga leaders. Paano sila mag-eeleksiyon?" Malonzo said. — With Pete Laude