MANILA, Philippines — Incumbent Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for reelection at a designated Commission on Elections (Comelec) office at SM Grand Central.

His running mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Karina Teh, and Team "Aksyon at Malasakit" (Action and Concern) District 2 aspirants for city council posts also filed their respective CoCs.

Seeking a second term, Malapitan was joined by his wife Aubrey, his family, as well as his team and supporters.

His father, long-time mayor and now District 1 Rep. Oscar Malapitan, who also is seeking reelection, raised the mayor's hands after filing his CoC to show his (elder Malapitan) support.

"I am so overwhelmed with the massive support we get from the 'Batang Kankaloos' (Caloocan Kids). There's no doubt because they feel and see the improvement and development of Caloocan during my first term as mayor," he told The Manila Times.

Reports showed that the incumbent mayor would have former senator Antonio Trillanes IV as his rival in the mayoralty race in the forthcoming May 25 midterm elections in Caloocan.

In a Viber message to this newspaper, Trillanes said he would file his CoC for mayor on Thursday, 10 a.m. also at SM Grand Central with his running mate PJ Malonzo, a former three-term city councilor and son of ex-Caloocan mayor Rey Malonzo, and the team's slate for councilors.