Home OPINION ‘TRAILBLAZER’ VERSUS ‘TROUBLEMAKER’

‘TRAILBLAZER’ VERSUS ‘TROUBLEMAKER’

LEADERSHIP in Caloocan has seen stark contrasts over the years, and no rivalry encapsulates this better than that of former Mayor Reynaldo “Rey” Malonzo and 1st District Representative Oscar “Oca” Malapitan.

s the May 2025 midterm elections approach, the two political figures once again find themselves at odds, with Malonzo launching yet another bid to challenge Malapitan’s well-established dominance in the city’s 1st District.

Malonzo, a former actor turned politician, has taken to social media to disparage Malapitan at every opportunity. His posts, brimming with criticism, paint the congressman as a lackluster public servant.

However, such claims are difficult to reconcile with the transformative changes Caloocan underwent during Malapitan’s tenure as mayor from 2013 to 2022.

Under Malapitan’s leadership, the city shed its reputation as a struggling urban area and emerged as a modernized hub of infrastructure and innovation.

From the towering 8-story City Hall to the sprawling Caloocan Sports Complex and serene Amparo Nature Park, Malapitan’s administration left an indelible mark.

Educational initiatives, such as the expansion of the University of Caloocan City and the establishment of its College of Law, College of Engineering and School of Medicine —further demonstrated his commitment to progress.

Dubbed as “The Architect” of Caloocan’s transformation, Malapitan’s achievements stand in sharp contrast to Malonzo’s lackluster legacy.

Serving as mayor from 1995 to 2004, Malonzo’s tenure has been often remembered for its missed opportunities.

Since leaving office, his persistent attempts to return to public service have resulted in an unbroken string of electoral defeats, not only for himself but for his family members as well.

Malonzo’s electoral losses began in 2004, when he was defeated by Malapitan in the congressional race.

Subsequent bids for local and national positions—including his failed campaigns for mayor in 2007 and vice mayor in 2010—cemented his reputation as a perennial candidate unable to regain the public’s trust.

Despite this history, Malonzo is once again seeking to challenge Malapitan in the upcoming elections.

The race promises to highlight a clear choice: between ‘The Trailblazer’, whose accomplishments speak volumes, and ‘The Troublemaker,’ who seems more focused on criticism than constructive solutions.

As voters prepare to head to the polls, perhaps it is also time for a broader discussion on election reforms.

The Commission on Elections, under Chairman George Erwin Garcia, could consider measures to address the phenomenon of repeat candidates who fail to deliver meaningful contributions to governance.

Such reforms might ensure a more dynamic and competitive political landscape, allowing genuine leaders to emerge for the benefit of the people of Caloocan.