Trillanes challenges Malapitan kin's decade hold on Caloocan City, files mayoral bid

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV filed on Thursday, October 3, his certificate of candidacy for Caloocan City mayor. He challenges the city’s incumbent mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan’s bid for reelection in the 2025 midterm polls.   

As a “staunch anti-corruption crusader,” Trillanes said in a statement that he is running against Malapitan to “dismantle a corrupt political dynasty.” It is his first priority, he added.     

“Technically, the family may have been in power for a long time, but they were only in position, using their authority for their own benefit,” he told reporters in Filipino.  

Trillanes has a history of criticizing past presidents for alleged corruption, having called for the ousting of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2007 and filing a plunder complaint against former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.

The most recent case involves the graft and corruption charges he filed with the Department of Justice in July 2024 against Duterte, Sen. Bong Go, and two others for repeatedly awarding contracts to Go’s infrastructure firms.

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According to Trillanes, residents of Caloocan City informed him that they do not feel the presence of Malapitan’s leadership. 

“Based on our rounds and consultations in various areas of Caloocan, their governance wasn't really felt,” he said in Filipino. 

The former senator also plans on using the public funds that the Malapitans allegedly used for their personal benefit to fund its programs for the youth, students, parents, workers, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. 

“That’s where our fight will begin, because a lot of Caloocan's funds are lost due to corruption, and we will use those funds to provide services to the people of Caloocan,” Trillanes said in Filipino. 

Asked which of Malapitan’s ongoing projects he would continue if elected mayor of Caloocan City, Trillanes responded, “Like what?”

The reporter mentioned how many senior citizens expressed their strong support for Malapitan because of the benefits they receive, but Trillanes said that is not the case with the ones he spoke