MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 2) Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. formally joined the Liberal Party Thursday, ending 17 years with the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats.

Belmonte, along with his daughter Joy and vice mayor Herbert Bautista, took their oath before LP president Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas in the wake of numerous defections from Lakas.

The elder Belmonte is planning to run for congressman in next year's elections while Bautista will run for mayor and Joy, for vice mayor in Quezon City.

A rousing welcome from a crowd clad in yellow greeted LP standard-bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Roxas II before the oath-taking ceremonies at the Amoranto Theater in Quezon City, which was festooned with yellow ribbons and balloons.

Also present at the event were Aquino’s sisters Ballsy Cruz, Pinky Abellada, and Viel Dee; former Senate President Franklin Drilon; Senator Francis Pangilinan; Anakbayan partylist Representative Riza Hontiveros; Representative Teofisto Guingona III; Aloysia Lim, wife of detained Brigadier General Danny Lim; and Pangasinan Mayor Hernani Braganza.