Comelec proclaims Malonzo

Life for Caloocan City residents goes back to normal after officer-in-charge Mayor Rey Malonzo and other winning candidates in the city were proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) late Wednesday night, some four months after the May 14 and 15 local and national polls.

In a statement, Malonzo expressed gratitude to his supporters and sympathizers saying that he can now officially and more comfortably perform his duties and functions as local chief executive.

The mayor also offered his hand in reconciliation to his political archrivals, brothers Boy and Baby Asistio.

The Asistios, however, could not be reached immediately for comment.

The fate of five more officials, who were supposed to be proclaimed together with Malonzo, however, still hangs in the balance as the reconvened city board of canvassers held back the proclamation for today, Friday to continue its canvassing of yet uncanvassed votes petitioned to be counted by the Asistio camp.

Comelec National Capital Region (NCR) chief Ferdinand Rafanan said the remaining uncanvassed votes could still materially affect the result of the elections for the five remaining officials.

Former councilor Edgar "Egay" Erice, who ran against former Mayor Macario "Boy" Asistio Jr. for the second congressional district race and four more councilors including Ma. Melinda Mabagos, Roberto Cruz and Bayan Muna Secretary General Nathaniel Santiago of District 2 and Gualberto Bacolod of District 1, will have to wait at least until today before they can be officially proclaimed.

Other officials proclaimed together with Malonzo and Luis "Tito" Varela, were councilors-elect Susana Punzalan, Isaac Domingo, Eduardo Rosca, Ernesto Cunanan, Benedicto Gonzales, Dennis Padilla, Tolentino Bagus and Alex Aruelo.

Meanwhile, the Comelec also nullified yesterday the proclamation of two councilors in Malabon City, which the poll body considered an excess, after they admitted that they had mistakenly inserted the extra seats in an order that was meant for Calamba City.

The Comelec withdrew the proclamation of councilors-elect Lucio Santos and Roggie Yangga after it was found out that they were occupying seats in excess of those prescribed by law.

The Comelec issued a resolution signed by six of the seven-member Commission en banc.

Only Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco, who was reportedly absent, did not sign the resolution dated yesterday. The resolution only noted on the space she was supposed to sign that Tancangco was absent.

"The proclamation of the two additional seats for the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Malabon City is void as there is no 7th office for the Sangguniang members of the City of Malabon provided in the charter," said the Commission en banc in their resolution. – Jerry Botial and Sandy Araneta