Belmonte bares priorities, announces 2022 slate

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto yesterday announced their priorities and formally presented their full slate for the 2022 elections.

“I am greatly honored to be surrounded by such a competent and dedicated group of public servants, who all share the same values and commitment to our collective mission: inclusive growth, the upliftment of lives and communities, and unwavering service to every QCitizen,” said Belmonte, who is running for reelection under the local Serbisyo sa Bayan party.

“Together, we will bring this city to greater heights, I promise you that,” she added.

Belmonte said she is confident that they can deliver programs and projects included in her 14-point agenda, which can contribute to the city’s long-term development while resolving challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Among her priorities include ensuring the vaccination of citizens, further strengthening the healthcare system and providing more support to businesses affected by the pandemic.

“As long as there are people who are hungry, people who are not going to school, people who don’t have homes, people who do not have jobs, then we have so much work ahead of us to do. We will not rest and we have a reason to wake up every morning,” she added.

Sotto, for his part, noted the achievements of the local leaders over the past three years, such as obtaining the highest audit opinion from the Commission on Audit, which he said is a testament of their commitment to good governance.

He vowed to continue leading the city council in passing measures that will promote healthcare, education and livelihood among residents.

“There is still so much work to be done. Although there are difficulties because of the pandemic, we still had so many breakthroughs that we achieved,” he added.

Running for Congress under the ticket are Juan Carlos Atayde for District 1, Ralph Tulfo for District 2, Franz Pumaren for District 3, Jesus “Bong” Suntay for District 4, Patrick Michael Vargas for District 5 and Marivic Co-Pilar for District 6.

Candidates for the city council include the following:

District 1: Alex Bernard Herrera, Dorothy Delarmente, Tany Joe Calalay, Oliviere Belmonte, Joseph Emilie Juico and Maria Concepcion Charmagne Ferrer.

District 2: Eden Delilah Medina, Fernando Miguel Belmonte, Godofredo Liban II, Ranulfo Ludovica, Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla and Clark David Valmocina.

District 3: Kate Abigael Coseteng, Wencerom Benedict Lagumbay, Jorge Banal Sr., Jose Mario Don De Leon, Albert Alvin Antonio III and Robert Neil Pacheco.

District 4: Ma. Aurora Suntay, Irene Belmonte, Ivy Xenia Lagman, Hero Clarence Bautista, Janet Malaya and Edgar Yap.

District 5: Alfred Paolo Vargas, Shaira Liban, Ramon Vicente Medalla, Joseph Visaya, Alfredo Roxas and Jose Arnel Quebal.

District 6: Eric Medina, Emmanuel Banjo Pilar, Victor Bernardo, Kristine Alexia Matias, Maria Eleanor Juan and Victorio Manuel Sotto-Generoso.