Joy Belmonte denies crippling rival’s campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte yesterday denied allegations that she is trying to cripple the campaign of one of her opponents for the mayoral race, District 1 Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo.

Speaking to reporters during the World Food Day food distribution at the Kamuning Bakery, Belmonte insisted she has no reason to initiate moves that would hinder Crisologo’s bid.

“I have no personal knowledge of such a thing and I don’t think that we need to do that because we have a very strong slate,” she said.

Crisologo on Monday accused Belmonte’s camp of pressuring his allies into dropping their plans to run in the midterm elections in his slate.

For Belmonte, it is illogical for her camp  to resort to such tactics.

“My congressmen are complete, my councilors are complete. There is no need for me to rein his camp,” she said.

Aside from Crisologo, Belmonte’s other opponent is former congressman Chuck Mathay.

Belmonte urged her opponents to rise above dirty politics and instead focus their campaign on issues based on their respective platforms for the city’s progress.

“You can bring up certain issues of national interest pero sana naman mag-contribute tayo sa political maturity ng ating mamamayan (we should contribute to the political maturity of our constituents),” she said.

Meanwhile, Belmonte said they still have no information on whether Mayor Herbert Bautista would run as as congressman of the city’s third district.

Bautista, who is on his third consecutive term as mayor, has yet to disclose his political plans.