INC endorses Bautista-Belmonte tandem

MANILA, Philippines - The leadership of the bloc-voting Iglesia ni Cristo has endorsed Liberal Party bets Herbert Bautista and Joy Belmonte as candidates for Quezon City mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

Bautista and Belmonte both welcomed and were thankful for the endorsement of the politically influential religious group.

Both Bautista and Belmonte believe they were selected by the religious group because of their track record in public service and platform of government.

Bautista is the incumbent vice mayor of the city while Belmonte, an NGO worker, is the daughter of incumbent Mayor Feliciano Belmonte. Jr. The elder Belmonte is running for congressman in the fourth district of Quezon City.

In an interview, Bautista’s chief of staff Aldrin Cuña said the vice mayor’s camp was honored by the endorsement of the INC leadership.

“We will cope with the expectations of the INC as far as governance is concerned,” Cuña assured.

He said the endorsement showed that the religious group “acknowledged the potential contribution of Bautista to the development of the city once he is elected as mayor.” 

“We believe the endorsement is based on the evaluation of his (Bautista’s) performance (as vice mayor) and his relationship with members and the leadership of the INC,” he said.

For her part, Belmonte said she felt “extremely honored and blessed” to have been endorsed and selected by the INC leadership.

“I know that the leadership of the INC really exerts all efforts to get to know the different candidates together with their ideals and platform before making a decision,” Belmonte said.

“Their trust and vote of confidence inspires me even more to serve the people of Quezon City with the highest level of commitment and integrity,” the vice mayoralty candidate added.