Navotas, Caloocan bets hit incumbents

MANILA, Philippines — Candidates in Navotas and Caloocan criticized incumbent elective officials as the campaign period for local posts started on Friday.

In Navotas, the father-son tandem of former vice mayor Lutgardo “Gardy” Cruz and Raymond Emil “RC” Cruz will go against brothers Mayor Toby Tiangco and Navotas Rep. John Rey Tiangco, who are both on their third and final terms.

Aksyon Demokratiko’s Gardy and Toby of Partido Navoteño will compete to represent the city’s lone district in the House of Representatives, while Aksyon’s RC and Partido Navoteño’s John Rey will aim for the city’s top post.

In his speech during the “Bagong Navotas” proclamation rally last Friday night, RC hit the local government for its “lack of heart” for residents during the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During the pandemic… if you even step out of the house without a mask, an enforcer would approach you and give you a ticket. How much is the fine? P1,500,” he said.

RC noted that residents were fined at a time when many had no jobs, were going hungry and did not know where they would get money to feed their families.

He also said the city government “flooded” Navotas with relief goods after his team declared their intent to run for public office.

RC also accused the city government of preferring registered voters in providing basic services such as healthcare.

The Cruzes promised that if elected, they would ensure the provision of allowance for students, senior citizens and solo parents; improve the Navotas City Hospital and Navotas Polytechnic College and build a food terminal at the city’s fish port and tenement homes for residents living along Navotas’ shores.

Switching posts

Meanwhile, six candidates are seeking to replace outgoing Mayor Oscar Malapitan, who wants to switch places with his son, District 1 Rep. Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan.

Among Along’s rivals is District 2 Rep. Edgar Erice.

In a campaign sortie on Friday night, Erice vowed to change Caloocan’s image, which he described as being a haven for squatters and a crime hotspot, by improving the city government’s services such as housing, healthcare and education.

He said he wants to increase the salaries of barangay watchmen to P7,000 a month; to mandate that police officers and crews of fire trucks and ambulances respond to emergencies within 10 minutes and create a “blue card” that will provide free medical services and medicines for residents.

He also pledged to order city-based businesses to hire elderly and disabled persons to make up 30 percent of their workforce, give housing units to 15,000 families within three years and teach computer education to students as early as the first grade.

“Lilipulin ko ang mga loko sa Caloocan (I will rid Caloocan of scalawags),” Erice said.

In separate campaign rallies, Erice and the younger Malapitan called on voters to examine the candidates.

Malapitan urged his constituents to listen to the pronouncements of candidates but refrain from being swayed by mudslinging and empty promises.