Trillanes challenges Malapitan in Caloocan

FORMER senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) at the Commission on Elections office in SM Grand Central on Thursday for Caloocan City mayor, challenging incumbent city chief executive Along Malapitan. "I was born and raised in Caloocan, and I have witnessed firsthand how the city has lagged behind in terms of development and the delivery of social services, especially when compared to other cities in Metro Manila," Trillanes, who is running under Aksyon Demokratiko, said in a statement. "Despite being one of the largest cities with one of the highest revenues in the country, we remain among the poorest. This disparity became even clearer during my consultations with Caloocan residents in the past months," he added. Trillanes' running mate PJ Malonzo, a former three-term city councilor and son of former Caloocan mayor Rey Malonzo, as well as the party's candidates for the city council also filed their CoCs. Malapitan filed his CoC on Wednesday to seek a second term. His running mate Vice Mayor Karina Teh also filed her CoC. The mayor's father, 1st District Rep. Oscar Malapitan, was also seeking re-election "I am so overwhelmed with the massive support we get from the 'Batang Kankaloos' (Caloocan Kids). There's no doubt because they feel and see the improvement and development of Caloocan during my first term as mayor," Malapitan said.