MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto yesterday filed their certificates of candidacy to run for a second term in next year’s elections.
“I hope and pray that our beloved QCitizens will once again entrust me with the stewardship of our great city,” Belmonte, who led the local government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, said in a statement.
“With your kind support, we can continue the strong momentum we have gained in terms of programs and projects, particularly jumpstarting the economy and creating better livelihood opportunities,” she added.
She reiterated other priority items in her administration’s 14-point agenda, including housing and security of land tenure for residents.
First elected mayor in 2019, Belmonte campaigned with the promise of a trustworthy leadership, data and information-driven decision-making and an efficient and well-functioning government system.
Belmonte took charge of the city’s pandemic response, including enhancing disease surveillance, ensuring support for those affected by lockdowns and rolling out the vaccination drive for millions of residents and workers.
She also issued executive orders and signed local measures to streamline government services, promote food security and regularize contractual employees of the city government.
Prior to becoming the city’s second woman chief executive, she served three terms as vice mayor, supporting measures to promote the rights of women and children, gender fairness, economic empowerment of women, mental health, culture and the arts.
Belmonte and Sotto will again run under the local Serbisyo sa Bayan party.
Some members of their slate, including outgoing Rep. Alfred Vargas and Sotto’s nephew Vitto Sotto Generoso, also filed their certificates of candidacy for councilor yesterday.
The tandem has yet to release the full slate.