QC mayor confident of Lakas victory

Quezon City re-electionist Mayor Feliciano Belmonte jr. expressed confidence yesterday that the ruling Lakas-CMD party will prevail in the city.

" We have a good chance," Belmonte told reporters as he entered the Christ the King Seminary to cast his vote at about 10 a.m.

Wearing a yellow polo shirt, the mayor shook hands with his supporters who greeted him and members of his family as they stepped out of their vehicles.

The mayor was joined by his son Kevin and wife Rose Ann, his daughter Joy and nephew Vincent, who were all assigned to vote in Precinct 5158-A at the covered court of the seminary.

Before motoring to the polling precinct, Belmonte received visitors and well-wishers at his residence, including his grandchildren.

Among those who called on the mayor was re-electionist Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza (4h district), who complained about the "dirty tactics" adopted by her rival. She claimed that P1,000 Handog ni Daza coupons, which entitles the bearer grocery goods in exchange for support, were allegedly being circulated.

As a result, hundreds of residents who received the bogus coupons trooped to her residence on Matatag street in Diliman to claim the supposed goods.

The conduct of the electoral exercise in all four districts of Quezon City as of yesterday was generally smooth, except for the usual problem of some missing names in the voters list.

As early as 7 a.m., all polling precincts in the city opened and traffic was smooth practically all over the city.

Most shopping centers in Cubao and other key areas in the city opened at noon to allow their employees to vote.

"I’m happy that the elections are almost over. I am confident that President Arroyo and Sen. Noli de Castro will win in Quezon City," Belmonte said.