Belmonte-Sotto, Mathay-Paulate tandems gun for QC top posts

MANILA, Philippines — Two tandems of politicians are set to clash over top posts in Quezon City, a crowded and gritty part of sprawling Metro Manila.

On the first day of filing of certificate of candidacy for next year’s elections, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte — daughter of former mayor turned congressman Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. — firmed up her bid to be the city’s mayor.

WATCH: Quezon City Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte and Coun. Gian Sotto file their COCs for the midterm polls. #BilangPilipino2019 | via Felicer Santos pic.twitter.com/DLw434Yl0Q

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) October 11, 2018

The younger Belmonte was accompanied by her runningmate, Quezon City Councilor Gian Sotto, who filed his COC for the vice mayor post.

Belmonte will run against Chuck Mathay, son of former Quezon City mayor Ismael Mathay. Meanwhile, Sotto will face Mathay’s runningmate, former comedian and last-termer councilor Roderick Paulate.

Paulate will have Chuck Mathay, son of fomer QC Mayor Ismael Mathay, as his runningmate. #BilangPilipino2019 | @romina_marie pic.twitter.com/BNA9FBJbzb

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) October 11, 2018

As of Thursday noon, the battle for the mayor and vice mayor positions in Quezon City is a two-way race between the tandems of Belmonte-Sotto and Mathay-Paulate. — with reports from The STAR/Romina Cabrera