Malonzo’s son sworn in as councilor

The son of former Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo took his oath of office yesterday, officially taking over the council seat left vacant by the death of Councilor Eduardo Rosca last month.

Pursuant to a Malacañang order dated March 31, Christopher Malonzo, 24, was sworn in as councilor of the city’s first district by Judge Victoria Isabel Paredes at the Caloocan City Hall of Justice on 10th Avenue at around 11:15 a.m.

The simple ceremony was attended by the former mayor, his wife Gigi, Christopher’s wife, Sheena and their one-year-old daughter Chryrstaen Sheen. Also present were a few friends, including then secretary to the mayor Francisco Veza and engineer Lito de Belen, former chief of the public safety office.

The young Malonzo said that he would start reporting to work at City Hall on Monday. He appealed for cooperation and support from local officials and the city residents.

"I am appealing to local officials and residents to give me a chance to prove my worth to continue the programs and aspirations of my father," said the young councilor, an economics graduate at the University Santo Tomas.

Asked about his experience in politics that qualifies him for a council seat, the young Malonzo said being the son of a veteran politician allowed him to acquire enough knowledge on how to handle the affairs of the local government.

As advice, the former mayor told his son "to just follow the law, and do what is right" in exercising his duties and responsibilities as a councilor.

Gigi, who ran for the mayoral seat in the last election, but lost, told her son to be strong.

"Sana magpakatatag siya," she said.

The Malonzos’ triumph, however, may be far from being absolute.

Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri, said yesterday the Rosca family would seek legal action to prevent the young Malonzo from filling in the vacancy.

Echiverri maintained that under the law of succession, it should be Kristen Joy Rosca, as endorsed by the City Council, who should take over the seat vacated by her father.