Erice joins Moreno’s party

MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice ended his 18-year stay with the Liberal Party yesterday as he jumped ship to the political party of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

Erice and eight others took their oaths before Moreno as members of Aksyon Demokratiko.

Erice took his oath with Caloocan Councilors Alou Nubla, Christopher Malonzo, Alex Mangasar, Ricardo Bagus, Jerome Balete and Jefferson Paspie, as well as Jacob Cabochan and former city administrator Russel Ramirez.

Erice’s group has locked horns with Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan, who filed a cyberlibel complaint against them over the allegedly overpriced P318.7-million computer project for distance learning.

Erice is planning to run for mayor next year with Malonzo as his vice mayor. Caloocan Rep. Along Malapitan will gun for his father’s seat.

Erice said he was driven by “extraordinary times” under the present administration to transfer to Moreno’s political party.

Moreno said he was “honored and fortunate” to accept the newest members of Aksyon Demokratiko from Caloocan.