PDP-Laban backs Belmonte

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has obtained the support of the local chapter of President Duterte’s party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

“We have unanimously agreed to endorse the reelection bid of Mayor Joy Belmonte,” the PDP-Laban Quezon City Council said in a statement yesterday.

“The gains and progress championed by her leadership are at the risk of total regress, unless it is ascertained that she is reelected and her leadership qualities and traits will push the development of Quezon City,” the council added.

The statement of support was signed by the PDP-Laban QC chapter’s officials led by Abbin Dalhani, president; Jojo Abad, vice president; Nestor Revilla, secretary general; Gilbert Aguirre, treasurer; Brian Lu, chairman of political affairs committee; Marc Anthony Maclang, chairman of membership committee, and officers from the city’s different districts.

An alliance of workers in the broadcast and other allied industries has also endorsed Belmonte’s bid for a fresh term.

The National Alliance of Broadcast Unions (NABU), an umbrella organization of broadcast workers in the country, including those based in Quezon City, recently presented Belmonte with a copy of their executive resolution.

Belmonte has backed the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN, noting that the company is one of the city’s top taxpayers and employs thousands of workers.

Her rival, Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, was among those who advocated against the renewal of the franchise of the broadcast giant.

“We are thankful to the PDP-Laban Quezon City Council and NABU for their endorsement,” Belmonte said in Filipino.

“These endorsements show that our good governance did not go unnoticed. Their vote of confidence serves as a big boost for my bid to win a fresh three-year term,” she added.