Cayetano opposed the proposal of the Metro Manila Development Representative Authority (MMDA) to grant city status to the four towns because he said forcing cityhood on "unqualified municipalities in Metro Manila would set a bad precedent for other towns nationwide.’’

San Juan Mayor Ejercito said that Cayetano should set aside personal grudges for the progress of the remaining municipalities in Metro Manila.

Ejercito said: "The deliberate resistance of Congressman Cayetano on the cityhood of Pateros, Taguig, Navotas and San Juan is questionable. How can, so they say, a public servant like him manage to think of himself first before the interest of a more number of people who would definitely benefit from the conversion of their hometown into a city?"

Ejercito added that the transformation of the four remaining municipalities in Metro Manila into chartered cities would greatly contribute in ensuring a more efficient public service delivery.

He said: "The people’s lives are at stake here. Municipalities ought to provide the same level of support to its constituents as compared to their local government units in Metro Manila."

The transformation of the four remaining municipalities into cities would help revolutionize Metro Manila into a full-fledged metropolis at par with the leading urban centers of the world.

Once granted cityhood, huge benefits will be passed on to both the municipal governments, the local government and local residents because it will translate to higher income and faster delivery of basic services.

He added: "The issue here is not the constitutionality of the proposal of Chairman Bayani Fernando, nor his alleged intrusion to law, most importantly their basic socio-physical needs such as health, sanitation, housing, and education. As you see, cityhood is an opportunity for us to enhance our programs for our people and bring about progress."

"Obviously, Congressman Cayetano is taking his issue personally, because of his private detestation toward his major political rival, Taguig Mayor Sigfredo Tinga. But his way of dealing with the problem hurts not only his contender, but four local units with its more than half a million population."

Ejercito said: "Congressman Cayetano should spare us from his personal fight. We have other more important local issues and problems to prioritize."