Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 21) — Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV says he is preparing to challenge the Malapitan dynasty in Caloocan City by seeking the mayoral post in 2025.

Trillanes on Sunday said he was “98%” sure about running for mayor in the midterm polls, and that a formal announcement is set to be made in March.

“Almost. Malapit na po. Itong Marso, tayo ay magpa-pasya, mag-a-anunsyo nung aking final decision, sasabihin kung 98% na nandoon na ang desisyon natin for mayor of Caloocan City,” he said at the Kapihan sa QC media briefing.

[Translation: Almost sure. In March, we will decide, and we will announce my final decision. I am 98% decided to run for mayor of Caloocan City.]

The former senator is expected to face off with the incumbent mayor, Along Malapitan, whose family has ruled Caloocan for over a decade. The mayor’s father, Oscar, was his immediate predecessor and the incumbent congressman of the city’s first district.

“May mga nagpasabi na po sa akin, nag-imbita na para tumakbo sa Senado sa 2025, pero nagsabi na po tayo. We politely declined the offer para makatuloy na sa pagiging mayor sa Caloocan,” he said.

[Translation: Some invited me to run for a senatorial position in 2025 but I already said no. We politely declined the offer so that we could proceed with running for mayor in Caloocan.]

Trillanes said he decided to seek a local post instead of attempting a Senate comeback or running as the first nominee of the Magdalo party-list because he believes he could help people better as mayor than a lawmaker.

He stressed that he will not team up with present Caloocan government officials, saying “14 years na iyong binigay sa kanila para matutukan yung Caloocan pero binabayaan nila lalo.”

[Translation: They were already given 14 years to focus on Caloocan but they have neglected it.]

Should he win, Trillanes said one of his priorities would be to fight corruption.