MAGALANG, Pampanga – A scuffle broke out between Santa Cruz Barangay Chair Junnel G. Malonzo and his erstwhile rival, businessman Trinidad “Toto” Gonzales, when push came to shove during an argument over the putting up of a “puni” (makeshift altar where Passion of Christ is sung) in the barangay.
As the Holy Week drew near, Gonzales said he was able to obtain the permission of Malonzo to put up a “puni” on a private lot in Barangay Santa Cruz here. Gonzales said Malonzo was even thankful to him for giving some 350 children in their barangay bed kits which also included school supplies from the Canada-based organization Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) led by its team leader Canadian Chris Hills.
But on Sunday, Malonzo suddenly had a change of heart and started putting down the “banderitas (flaglets)” leading to the “puni” which were put up last week by Gonzales in observance of the Holy Week. Gonzales, a former seminarian, is also the brother of Jesuit priest Fr. Ted Gonzales who heads the Center for Family Ministries at the Ateneo de Manila.
Gonzales said when he confronted Malonzo yesterday, the village chief now surrounded by his barangay tanods suddenly pushed him. But Gonzales said when he confronted the barangay chief again he shoved him while his tanods began threatening him.
Gonzales said he will file charges against Malonzo who cannot be reached for his comment as of press time.
