PDP Laban factions endorse QC Mayor Belmonte

By Claire Morales True

QUEZON CITY – Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte has won the support of the two opposing factions of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

First to throw its full support was the group headed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi which issued a statement  “unanimously endorsing and supporting the bid of Mayor Joy Belmonte.”

Belmonte, who is facing party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, said that Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who heads the Pimentel-Pacquiao  faction of the ruling party, personally conveyed to  her their support and endorsement of her candidacy.

“We met and talked and Sen. Koko Pimentel said he would not need to say anything about the decision of the other group (Cusi wing) supporting me because he and his group are also throwing support behind my re-election bid,” the mayor said.

The statement of support of the Quezon City Chapter-Cusi wing was signed by Abbin Dalhani, president; Jojo Abad, vice president; Nestor Revilla, secretary general; Gilbert PE Aguirre, treasurer; Brian Lu, chairman of political affairs committee; Marc Anthony Maclang, chairman of membership committee; and its officers from the city’s different districts.

The group said it believes that the improvements, growth and achievements of Belmonte must continue.

“The gains and progress championed by her leadership is at the risk of total regress, unless it is ascertained that she is re-elected and her leadership qualities and traits will continually push the development of Quezon City,” Dalhani’s group said.

Belmonte’s bid for a fresh three-year term also received support from an alliance of broadcast and allied workers.

In a resolution, the National Alliance of Broadcast Unions agreed to support the candidacy of Belmonte.