Herbert Bautista endorses Joy Belmonte for Quezon City mayor

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has formally endorsed Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte’s bid for the city’s top post.

Bautista vouched for the candidacy of Belmonte, his former running mate, during the proclamation rally of the Serbisyong Bayan Party (SBP) on Friday, the first day of the campaign period for local candidates.

Belmonte is running with a full slate under the SBP, which includes civic leader Mikey Belmonte, who is running for councilor in the city’s second district. 

Former Speaker and incumbent District 4 Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said his daughter and Bautista talked over the phone and Bautista agreed to attend the rally.

The endorsement, however, was unexpected, the elder Belmonte said.

Bautista, who will rest from politics after three terms as mayor, said he is praying for Belmonte in her bid for the city’s top spot. 

“Alam ko na sa kanyang puso, pagkilos at pananalita ay sapat na dapat lang at walang ibang panahon na dapat natin siyang iluklok at iboto na mayor ng QC (I know that in her heart, actions and speech, the time is right to vote for her as mayor of QC),” he said during his short speech.

The outgoing mayor also called on Quezon City residents to support the whole SBP slate, including its candidates for congress and the city council. 

The younger Belmonte is teaming up with the son of Senate President Tito Sotto, Gian Carlo Sotto, as her running mate. 

The Senate leader, a former vice mayor of the city himself, also attended the event and vouched for the track record of the Belmontes and the Sottos in public service in Quezon City. 

The younger Belmonte said her programs would address poverty as well as the lack of decent jobs, proper in-city housing and access to basic services. 

She has expressed hope that local campaign for the upcoming midterm elections would be free of fake news, black propaganda and lies.