Belmonte poised to win third term

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto are poised to win their third and final term as official canvassing of votes began last night.

As of 9 p.m., partial and unofficial results showed Belmonte and Sotto obtaining over 700,000 and 640,000 votes, respectively.

They are running unopposed, with their contenders receiving less than 20,000 votes.

In the race for the city’s six legislative districts, Belmonte’s allies Arjo Atayde (first district), Ralph Tulfo (second district), Franz Pumaren (third district), Marvin Rillo (fourth district), PM Vargas (fifth district) and Marivic Co-Pilas (sixth district) are leading.

Rillo is leading by less than 100 votes against former congressman Bong Suntay.

Vargas is leading by a little over 7,000 votes against Rose Lin.

Villar among early birds

In Las Piñas, Sen. Cynthia Villar was one of the early voters when polling precincts opened for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant voters at 5 a.m.

Villar voted together with her husband, former Senate president Manny Villar, at the Las Piñas National High School.

She is running for a congressional seat against Councilor Marck Anthony Santos.

Villar is allied with former councilor Carlo Aguilar, who is part of the opposition slate challenging the regime of the Aguilars, headed by Vice Mayor April Aguilar.

Binays mending ties?

In Makati, Sen. Nancy Binay, who is running for mayor against Mayor Abby Binay’s husband, Makati District 1 Rep. Luis Campos, voted at San Antonio Community Complex.

Campos and Abby, who is seeking a Senate seat, cast their votes at Nemesio Yabut Elementary School.

Nancy told reporters she remains optimistic about mending ties with her estranged sister, but Abby pleaded not to drag their parents into the fight.

Vico brushes off disqualification complaint

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto downplayed a disqualification complaint filed against him by a former city hall employee, saying his focus remains on ensuring clean and orderly elections.

“We haven’t received a copy of the complaint yet,” Sotto told reporters after casting his ballot at Valle Verde 5 in Barangay Ugong.

He is accused of violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ban on aid distribution after the city government released school allowances to scholars during the campaign period.

Sotto maintained that the program was exempted by the Comelec.

He is running for his third and last term against Sarah Discaya, who voted at Bambang Elementary School.

In Parañaque, brothers Mayor Eric Olivarez and District 1 Rep. Edwin Olivarez voted at the Parañaque National High School.

The Olivarez are seeking to swap posts.

Incumbent Mayors Lani Cayetano of Taguig, Imelda Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay and Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa cast their votes without much of a hitch.

In Manila, Mayor Honey Lacuna and mayoral candidate Sam Verzosa cast their votes at Legarda Elementary School in Sampaloc.

Former mayor Isko Moreno, who is seeking a comeback, voted at Manuel Quezon Elementary School in Tondo.

In San Juan, Mayor Francis Zamora cast his vote at Xavier School, accompanied by his wife Keri, son Rocco and mother Rose.

Zamora, who is seeking reelection, is pitted against former mayor Philip Cezar.

Zamora told The STAR that he expects a clean sweep for his slate.

His wife experienced a minor issue when the vote counting machine rejected her ballot several times before it was finally accepted.

In Caloocan, Mayor Along Malapitan voted at Morning Breeze Elementary School, accompanied by his wife Aubrey and his father First District Rep. Oca Malapitan.

The younger Malapitan, who is seeking a second term, expressed confidence in the conduct of the polls.

His opponent, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, voted at Holy Infant Montessori Elementary School.

In Navotas, Mayor John Rey Tiangco voted at Navotas Elementary School together with his wife and their children.

Tiangco filed a certificate of challenge with the Comelec after his voter receipt showed an overvote.

In Malabon, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval cast her vote at Amang Rodriguez Elementary School.

Her spouse, Ricky Sandoval, who is seeking a comeback as congressman, voted at Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School. — Mark Ernest Villeza, EJ Macababbad, Ghio Ong