Quezon City, Caloocan now LP strongholds

MANILA, Philippines - Top Quezon City and Caloocan City officials have transferred to the Liberal Party (LP), making the cities political strongholds of the party.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr.; his daughter Joy Belmonte, who is running for vice mayor next year; incumbent Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista; and several city councilors were formally sworn in as new LP members in oath-taking ceremonies at Amoranto Multi-purpose hall in Barangay Obrero, Quezon City yesterday.

Present during the oath taking were LP standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III, his running mate Sen. Manuel Roxas II, senior party members former senator Franklin Drilon, Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Quezon Gov. Raffy Nantes. Quezon City Representatives Mat Defensor and Nanette Daza, who are with Lakas, were also invited by Belmonte, as friends, to witness the oath taking. A crowd of a thousand clad in yellow, which included officials from the city's 120 barangays were invited as well and filled the venue.

Belmonte, former executive vice president for external affairs of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD, said his decision to join the LP ranks is a personal and family decision influenced by his friendship with the late former President Corazon Aquino, whom he served in several government posts for six years. Sisters of Senator Aquino, namely Ballsy Aquino Cruz, Viel Aquino Dee and Pinky Aquino Abellada with husband Manolo, were also present at the event.

“My experience has shown that there are occasions when change beckons, challenging the circumstances with which we have become comfortable. Today is one of those occasions. I have been confronted with a difficult decision because it involves a friendship and relationship that have been nurtured through time,” he said.

“This is a time when one must view alliances with a critical eye, and see which path can more easily help more people attain the better life that all Filipinos yearn for. This is the vision I have committed to each time I run for office,” he added.

Belmonte is considering running again for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent the city’s fourth district.

Bautista, on the other hand, will be LP’s official candidate for Quezon City mayor. He will be up against Rep. Annie Susano who also left the ruling party for the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Joy, president of the QC Women’s Foundation, which provides livelihood and other assistance to the city’s residents, said she accepted the challenge to run as city vice mayor to be more effective in dealing with poverty.

“I come to you now in the time of progress and the time of challenges on how to deal with the poor in the city,” she said.

Political observers said Belmonte’s defection to LP has strengthened the political hold of the Liberals in the city, which formerly had only two councilors in the city government.

Later on, Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri, who governs the third most populous city in Metro Manila, was also declared as the official LP candidate for Caloocan mayor.

Other Caloocan city officials sworn in as new LP members were Vice Mayor Luis Varela, District I Councilors Susan Punzalan, Gualberto Bacolod, Nora Nubla, Dante Prado, Ramon Te and Melinda Mabagos; District II Councilors Luis Abel, Alex Aruelo, Ernesto Cunanan and Marjorie Barretto.

Echiveri, who also came from Lakas, said he is determined to secure his third and last term as mayor.

He said he decided to defect to the LP because of his respect for Aquino.

“Senator Noynoy has within him the pre-requisites of a very good leader – compassionate, trustworthy and the ability to inspire and give hope – and I am after that,” said Echiverri.

“I believe that Sen. Noynoy is what our nation urgently needs. Not only does he possess industriousness, perseverance, and intelligence, but he is a true leader with a heart and a genuine commitment to change and reform,” he said.

“If we were able to reform Caloocan City to what it is today, I’m sure Sen. Noynoy can do it for the entire nation,” he added.

He, however, clarified that his resignation from his long time political party was “never influenced by any individual, groups or popularity ratings” but rather, “a means to improve the political paradigm of the Philippines.” -With Jerry Botial